COLWALL moved into the top half of Worcestershire League Division One after a five-wicket victory at Feckenham.

Batting first, the hosts lost two early wickets to the pace of Mike Gooch and never really got on top after that with Dan Newby contributing a tight opening spell.

Opener Andrew Kings stayed put to hit a battling 81 before becoming Gooch’s third victim but the spin of Mike King and James Wagstaffe kept the home side in check.

Wagstaffe (1-30) sent down 10 accurate overs while King (4-63) and Gooch (3-64) shared seven wickets as the hosts were restricted to 217-8 off 50 overs.

Skipper Ben Cooke got Colwall off to a flying start before seamer Tom Coulson dismissed Joe Blight and Fergus Cameron in quick succession with the total on 27.

However, Cooke and Nick Brown (45) added 99 for the third wicket with the latter hitting two sixes and six fours before being caught.

Ben Febery lent Cooke solid support before the latter holed out for 69 including a six and 11 fours.

Febery took over with six fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 59 to see off the target with 12 overs in hand alongside James Waters and Dan Brierley adding 10 apiece.

Colwall seconds opener John Card compiled an unbeaten 179 in the Division One clash at home to Feckenham.

Card’s mammoth innings carried the hosts to a daunting 325-5 on a fine wicket and Feckenham declined to take on the challenge.

The home bowlers were made to toil as they compiled a stately 178-2 with Fraser Duggan hitting an unbeaten 115 to secure the losing draw.

In Marches League Division Two, a much-depleted Colwall thirds proved no match for title-chasing Strollers who triumphed by 141 runs after electing to bat.

Harry Evans removed the dangerous Dan Powell (22) early on but a second-wicket stand of 143 between Richard Lerego (56) and Mark Powell (61) put the hosts in command.

Dick Tugwell induced a mini-collapse with four wickets in as many overs but a firm 62 not out from Rob Brown saw Strollers to 260-5 off 45 overs.

Only Toby Clifford (16) put up much early resistance after tea but despite losing regular wickets Colwall's tail resisted stoutly with Dan Reilly (27) and John Henry (20) taking the final total to 119 all out.