AFTER seven consecutive league wins at the end of last season Colwall made it eight in a row with this defeat of Lydney.

COLWALL v LYDNEY

Choosing to bat first captain Tom Wolfendale looked in fine touch and was ably supported by David Powell. With the total at 27 in the eighth over Wolfendale was suddenly beaten by a ball that seamed and kept low.

Powell was joined by Matt Fortnum and the Lydney bowlers turned the screw. With the help of some excellent ground fielding and accurate bowling the runs dried up. The introduction of the miserly left arm spin of Scott saw runs even harder to come by. Fortnum was then unluckily run out when bowler Morris deflected a Powell drive onto the stumps. Nick Panniers also found it hard to force the pace and he fell trying to hit Scott back over his head.

Tim Riley found it easier to accelerate, hitting his first ball for four. He and Powell took the score finally past the 100 mark in the 40th over. Powell and Riley were then both run out in the quest for quick runs. Lee Hankins came and went in a flash, Steve Ferguson was not his usual fluent self and it was left to Josh Hornyold and James Wagstaff to negotiate the final five overs and take the final tally into the 160s.

Colwall's intention was to keep the pressure on the batsmen and then take wickets. When the Score reached 52 of just eight overs Colwall needed to reasses. As so many times in the past it was the Colwall spinners who first, applied the brakes and then started to take wickets. Most of the damage had been done by Australian player Gallaghen. He attacked from the start and was smashing the ball to all parts. Dave Sutton tied him down and finally tempted him to hit over the top. He miscued and presented Tim Riley with an easy catch at deep mid on. From then on it was Cowall's bowlers who took complete control.

Both Sutton and Wagstaff mesmerised the opposition who had no real answers to the problems posed. When their overs where completed it was time for Josh Hornyold to join. Josh bowled without luck in the league last season, today he took four wickets all clean bowled as he wrapped up the tail as any fast bowler should.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Colwall visit Redmarley.