Colwall climb table with home triumph (From Malvern Gazette)

Colwall climb table with home triumph

5:00pm Friday 29th June 2012 in Cricket

COLWALL entertained table-topping Pershore at Stowe Lane in Worcestershire League Division One looking to get their season back on track.

The hosts were missing batsman Rory Jone, but were boosted by the return of fast bowler James Gerrish. Colwall batted first and an opening stand of 76 by Dan Head (45) and Nick Panniers (24) gave them a solid platform to build from.

After Panniers fell first, Colwall continued to dominate the game as Dan McKay (39) followed by skipper James Abel (42) moved the score to 181-3. This solid batting performance allowed the lower order to play their shots and that they did with Tom Coleman blasting two huge sixes out of the ground as Colwall posted 218-9 after being put in by Pershore captain Liam Ridings.

Pershore spinner Timothy Smith picked up impressive figures of 8-57 from his 12 overs as he cleaned up the home side’s lower order batsmen.

The home team then took to the field fuelled with confidence as James Nightingale and evergreen Damien Berry shared the new ball.

Nightingale produced an accomplished spell, keeping the Pershore opening pair on the back foot, but Berry was among the wickets.

Firstly, he had David White caught by Able at first slip and then he removed Chris Ayliffe without troubling the scorers. It wasn’t long before Berry struck again, finding the edge of Robert Tidey’s bat and keeper Dan Head held on.

After eight overs, Colwall’s overseas starlet Dylan Marshall came into the attack as the away side looked to rebuild. Steady progress was made as the Pershore skipper came to the crease, biding his time as he looked to steady the ship.

But after a skilful bit of bowling from Marshall and a superb catch at short leg by Gerrish, Ridings eventually departed for a patient 15.

This saw the end of the Pershore fightback and wickets continued to tumble with Marshall finishing with 6-21 and Berry 4-38.

Pershore were eventually dismissed for just 88 in the 32nd over, despite a valiant effort from last-wicket pair Luke Dalley (19) and Darren Critcher.