COLWALL dropped to second in the Worcestershire League Division One table after losing by 42 runs against old rivals Worcester Nomads at Stowe Lane.

Missing their front-line seam attack and at least two other key players, Colwall followed their usual tactic of inserting the opposition in a contest that was reduced to 45 overs per side.

But the ploy failed to pay off as Nomads thrived with the bat.

Jack Knight Adams raised hopes early on as he clean bowled Dave White in his second over, but Andy Robertson had little joy at the other end and was replaced by Fergus Cameron who claimed the second wicket when Harvey Groves was caught behind by Ben Wheeler for 18 out of 50-2.

The introduction of spin saw James Wagstaff take a return catch to dismiss opener Guy Davies for 33, but from 86-3 Ollie Ranscombe and Lewis Austin regained control in a stand of 76 that proved crucial to the outcome.

Austin was bowled by Ben Febery for 45 and Ranscome was stumped by Wheeler off Nick Brown for 60.

But the tail wagged just enough to push the final total to 233-9, Brown finishing with 4-45 and Febery 2-48 on an otherwise frustrating afternoon for the home bowlers.

Colwall began their reply promisingly enough as openers Ben Cooke and Nick Panniers put on 53 for the first wicket off just 14 overs but the latter was then trapped leg before for 19 and when Fergus Cameron (20) and Cooke (43) fell either side of the drinks break the rot began to set in.

Ben Wheeler smashed two fours and a six only to swing wildly at Groves and lose his off stump and when Febery was caught behind Colwall were struggling at 111-5 in the 26th over.

Brown and Robertson tried to stem the tide with a sixth-wicket stand of 53, but once Brown was caught on the square leg boundary the writing was on the wall and with Davies coming on to clean up the tail with 4-31, Robertson was left unbeaten on 32 as the hosts folded to 191 all out.

Colwall visit Belbroughton on Saturday.