COLWALL got their 2017 season under way with two friendly victories over Bromyard.

The first team won a close 45-over encounter by nine runs while the second XI eased home by 75 runs in a 40-over clash.

Thanks to the dry spring the Stowe Lane pitch was in near-perfect condition for batting.

Having won the toss Colwall took full advantage from the start as openers Fergus Cameron and Joe Blight found runs easy to come by in a century opening stand.

Cameron was in particularly good touch, hitting eight fours and a six before retiring on 56 while Ben Cook and Blight shared a half-century partnership before the latter retired for a solid 53.

Cook hit two sixes in his 39 before falling to James Owers while a useful spell of 3-25 from eight overs by Tom Harvey brought the visitors back into contention with Matt Morgan and new captain Ben Wheeler both dismissed cheaply.

Simon Davies stood firm, compiling a sound unbeaten 29 and with support from Johnno Gooch Colwall took their final total to 226-4 before the overs elapsed.

In reply, Bromyard were given an impressive start by Ed Oliver and Owers (34) before the latter was caught by Ben Febery off Dan Newby while Rob Willis hit 21 before he was stumped by Wheeler off Morgan’s off-spin.

Oliver reached a solid 51 before retiring and then Dave Taylor blasted four sixes in his 51 to put the visitors in the driving seat as Colwall’s fielding became a little ragged.

Morgan picked up three more wickets for 4-34 as runs proved hard to come by in the closing overs with Bromyard eventually finishing nine short at the close.

On the adjacent Ghost Meadow pitch Colwall seconds also thrived with the bat as John Card and Colin Cameron (14) started steadily before the latter was caught.

Idris Nemet hit a quick 25 and when he departed 16-year Jake Hill produced splendid shots in a rapid 51 before retiring.

Ed Reece and Jamie Turner took two wickets apiece as the home middle order wobbled slightly but Card stood firm to reach 53 before retiring and useful runs in the tail saw Colwall reach 205-6 off 40 overs.

Tight quick bowling from Hill and Dom Bannister kept Bromyard in check early on and when Mike Reece fell for 23 Colwall got on top as Euan Buttle (3-19) broke through.

Rob Williams (50) and Turner (30) rallied but once they were parted Colwall took control with two wickets apiece for Card and Nemet settling the issue as Bromyard subsided to 130 all out.