A POOR fielding and batting performance saw Colwall lose out by 54 runs in the League game against Apperley on Saturday.

APPERLEY v COLWALL

Choosing to field first on an unpredictable track at Apperley, Colwall bowled well early on with Will Hards' and Damien Berry's pace and swing testing the home side's openers. Hards bowled especially well in his early spell but couldn't stop Macpherson (J) and Leek (H) accumulating a 76 opening partnership inside the first 20 overs.

James Wagstaff's introduction however brought two wickets in three overs, the first deceiving Leek for 30 and Macpherson being caught well at deep square leg by Hards. Wagstaff went on to take 2-38 in a mixed 10 over spell as Australian Grover and Leek (R) next control at the crease with a match winning 88 third wicket partnership to pose a challenging target for the visitors.

Grover particularly played some adventurous shots and found his luck in with the Colwall fielders dropping catches several times. This uncharacteristic display of poor fielding, not helped by the increasingly damp conditions, cost Colwall vital wickets as Grover went on to top score with 61 and Leek with a quickfire 40. Both fell in the last eight overs to Stuart Bailey (2-32) but with hard-hitting Hall adding 36 in 31 balls, Apperley finished 230-4 from their 50 overs.

Colwall's run rate was always some way short of that required and this was due to some indifferent batting matched with a sound Apperley bowling display. Tom Wolfendale and Dave Powell gave Colwall a solid start of 47 in the first 19 overs before the former mis-timed a drive into the hands of Macpherson (J) at mid-on.

Powell and Barney Bamford continued to score just under three runs an over but with overs running out and runs needed quickly both batsmen fell in two overs, Powell finishing with a top score of 36.

Wickets fell at regular intervals from then on as the visitors searched for some much-needed runs. Apperley's Leek brothers however bowled well in the closing stages and despite hard working efforts from Steve Ferguson (26), Wagstaff's 31 in 26 balls and 18 from Hards, Colwall found themselves short of the runs at the close.

It was left to Paul Barnes and Dave Sutton to see out the last few overs and see Colwall over the 175 mark and secure further batting points, in a disappointing 54 run defeat.

COLWALL II v

APPERLEY II

COLWALL got back on track with a convincing eight wicket win against Apperley at Stowe Lane.

Colwall asked Apperley to bat first on a slightly damp wicket and were soon in trouble with Bakewell taking an excellent diving catch at slip off Oliver to remove Macpherson, quickly followed by Russ Bennett plucking one out of the air at slip to terminate Davison leaving the visitors on 16-2. Some resistance from skipper Attard and Leeve but once they had departed Apperley never look-ed like posting a winning total.

Eddie Hill having claimed both Attard and Leeve continued to thwart Apperley with an excellent display of seam bowling finishing his spell of 12 overs, six maidens and three wickets for a misery 17 runs.

Colwall skipper Holland mopped up the tail leaving Colwall a simple target of 106.

In reply Palmer and Hankins made a steady start punishing anything short of a length before Palmer departed.

Mark Shouler (45no) joined Hankins (46) in a partnership of 58 which took the home side to within sight of victory before Hankins was run out for a controlled and when needed an aggressive 46. Shouler and Bakewell saw Colwall home in the 29th over to seal victory.

Colwall II visit Hereford II tomorrow (Saturday) hoping to continue their winning ways.