COLWALL cast off their poor form with a resounding league victory followed by a thrilling seven-run triumph in the National Village Knockout Cup.

Without captain Ben Cooke and vice-captain James Wagstaffe in Worcestershire League Division One, Colwall looked to be up against it batting first at Cookley.

But openers Joe Blight and Nick Brown shared a match-winning first-wicket stand.

Brown fell for 78 as the total passed the 180 mark but Blight, who had struggled for runs, went on to 100.

Ben Febery hit a solid 53 in Colwall's highest score of the campaign of 297-6 from 50 overs.

Cookley tried to keep up with the-run rate through Paul Thomas (47) but Colwall's bowlers stuck to their task.

Brown claimed 4-47 as the hosts were restricted to 221-9 with a 20-point haul lifting Colwall two places up the table.

In the village knockout fifth round at Bronwydd, Colwall slumped to 74-6 having been put in by the Welsh hosts.

But Fergus Cameron led a dogged recovery with 59 not out in a meagre 155-9 from 40 overs as George Gleeson claimed 3-28.

Mike Gooch (3-15) broke through in reply but George Gleeson (40) put Bronwydd back on top until they panicked in the last 10 overs.

Brown picked up two wickets and Jack Knight-Adams another.

In a tight finish Febery (3-32) took the final wicket as the hosts were dismissed for 149 with seven balls left putting Colwall through to the last 16.

Colwall seconds suffered their second last-over setback in succession, losing to visitors Cookley by six wickets in Division One.

Kit Lister (52) and Will Bishop (84no) provided the mainstay of Colwall’s 216-5 batting first with Charlie Barton taking 4-33.

Cookley made steady headway with Alex Roden making 48 as the bowlers toiled in vain after tea before Simon Davies (4-48) revived Colwall.

A missed catch let Phil Dixon (82no) off the hook as Cookley edged home with a ball to spare on 217-4.

Colwall thirds gained a losing draw in a high-scoring clash at Ledbury firsts in Marches League Division Two.

Jack Hughes bowled opener Josh Evans with the first ball as Ledbury elected to bat but then Dan Gale (56) and Tom Willis (29) added 77 for the second wicket.

Dick Tugwell (4-39) had both caught but, although Chris Conlon (2-26) also bowled well, Paddy Merryman (77) and Jason Belcher (30) saw the hosts to a commanding 249-8.

Steve Wright (42) kept Colwall in contention and 57 including three sixes from Hughes raised hopes but the innings lost momentum when he was bowled.

Although Toby Clifford (28no) and Tugwell (15no) secured a third batting point and a draw at 185-6, Ledbury emerged well on top.

Colwall fourths secured a 114-run home win over Division Four opponents Bosbury who were dismissed for just 85 chasing 199-7.

Adam Greaves hit 96 and Phil Steers 28 for Colwall and although Bosbury started well they wilted as Harry Evans (2-28) kept them in check.

Ben Recordon took a hat-trick in his 5-12 and Alex Chopping (3-10) sealed victory in the 23rd over.