COLWALL put their early season blues firmly behind them with a first victory over the campaign as they stunned high-flying Cookley by 66 runs at Stowe Lane.

Ben Cooke scored an unbeaten 89 while skipper Ben Wheeler (46) was once again providing the bulk of the runs in Colwall’s total of 228-6 from their 50 overs.

A much-improved display in the field, with four home bowlers each taking two wickets, then sent Cookley, who were previously undefeated, sliding to 162 all out.

The win was enough to move Colwall up three places in the Worcestershire League Division One table.

Colwall made a solid start as Joe Blight (21) and Nick Brown (28) added 45.

Blight gave a return catch to Jamien Rudd who then induced a sudden collapse with three wickets in his eighth over as Brown, James Abel and Henry Coleman all fell.

Once Rudd (4-26) was seen off Wheeler and Cooke shared a century stand before Adam Nicholls dismissed Wheeler and Mike King.

An unbroken partnership of 41 between Cooke and Ancil Nedd put Colwall in a strong position.

Mike Gooch made an early breakthrough, but Rudd and Al Roden took the total to 60 before the latter was bowled by King, while Paul Thomas was caught by Gooch off Nedd. Rudd (54) held the innings together, but when he was run out by Nedd at 96-4 the writing was on the wall and only Jon Stannaway offered much resistance.

Gooch (2-14) and Nedd (2-18) finished off the tail while Dan Newby (2-55) and King (2-27) both bowled well.

Colwall will look to back the win up when they visit Droitwich on Saturday (1pm).

Teenager Ben Febery scored a maiden century as Colwall seconds cruised to a 232-run victory at Evesham in Second XI Division One.

Colwall lost openers Will Bishop and Idris Mohammed for ducks, but it was plain sailing after that with Ali Pearce (60) and Febery sharing a century stand. Febery reached 106 out of a final total of 294-8 before Jack Hughes (4-18) and Jake Hill (3-1) completed a fine display.

The thirds lost by seven wickets in Marches League Division Two leaders Canon Frome.

The fourths had to settle for a losing draw after finishing just six runs adrift of Brockhampton fourths in Division Four.