A 61 run fifth wicket partnership between Richard Bennett and Martin Oliver secured Colwall's passage through to the national rounds of the Wadworth 6X Village Knockout on Sunday after a well fought win.

CHADDESLEY CORBETT v COLWALL

Meeting Chaddesley Corbett for the third time in as many years in the regional final, Colwall skipper Dave Sutton won the toss and decided to field on a surprisingly green wicket.

This paid dividends from the off as the home side were reduced to 49-4 after 13 overs. Eddie Hill started the downfall capturing opener Trusswell after a superb one handed catch at slip by Richard Bennett.

Stuart Bailey next weighed in with three priceless wickets in four overs to dismiss Chaddesley's top order after a well judged catch at mid on by Damien Berry and astute stumping by Steve Ferguson.

The fifth wicket of G Baylis and Masefield recovered the innings with the pair's 88 partnership. The former reached a well timed 53 before being caught by Bennett at deep mid on off William's bowling.

This signalled a collapse in the Chaddesley ranks as the last six wickets fell for just 32 runs. Dave Sutton's 3-38 runs and a wicket apiece for Williams and Berry dismissed the home side for 169.

Ferguson's excellent work behind the stumps was rewarded with four dismissals including that of the threatening Connolly but Chaddesley's total was helped significantly by the number of wides bowled, 24, which was to become an important feature in Colwall's victory later on.

Of the 36 extras that Colwall accumulated, 26 were wides, figures that ultimately had a huge effect on the game after the visitors struggled to 80-3 after 25 overs. With the opening seamers of Elbro and Chambers (2-21 off 9) bowling extremely tightly Colwall were restricted to only 21 runs in the first ten overs and lost Tom Wolfendale to a controversial caught behind decision.

The improving run rate continued as Chaddesley dominated with the ball but crucially with only the further losses of Williams and Tim Riley, Colwall were able to go on and challenge for the target in the last 15 overs with seven wickets in hand. Barney Bamford's patient 33 proved important in the final reckoning as did Steve Ferguson's sensible 17.

The Richard Bennett, Martin Oliver partnership however won the game for Colwall as the pair's excellent boundary shots and quick running between the stumps saw Colwall through in the penultimate over.

Bennett's 16 runs in one over off Trusswell and Oliver's two boundaries off the pace of Elbro in the 35th over were turning points in the game giving the pair unbeaten scores of 36 and 31. Colwall reached the 170 target for the loss of five wickets with 90 runs coming off the last 13 overs.

Colwall now visit Northamptonshire champions Isham CC on Sunday, July 8, just four wins from a Lord's final on September 9.