COLWALL failed to shake off their batting blues as they slumped to a 43-run home defeat by Hagley at Stowe Lane in Worcestershire League Division One.

Just as they had done at Eastnor the previous week, the bowlers did their job, restricting the visitors to 189-9 off their 50 overs.

This time, however, there were no late-order heroics as another poor start to their reply saw them slump to 73-6 before being bowled out for 136.

The defeat also saw Colwall drop closer to the relegation zone as second-from-bottom Eastnor reduced the gap to 22 points with a shock win over high-flying Worcester.

Put in to bat Gooch made the initial breakthrough and only a dogged 59 from James Trinham kept them in contention as they slipped to 126-7 at one stage.

Ancil Nedd bowled tightly for just a single wicket reward and youngster Jake Hill bowled superbly for his 2-22 return off seven overs.

But Zane Welsh held the lower order together with a unbeaten 38 and tail-ender James Russell hit a lusty 23. Gooch finished with 4-44 for Colwall.

With a depleted batting line-up, Colwall made the worst possible start as Joe Blight was trapped lbw off the second ball from Welsh and James Abel (10) soon followed at 19-2.

Gooch and Ancil Rudd added 39, but both men were dismissed for 20 and when Henry Coleman was caught without scoring and Mike King also went cheaply Colwall were deep in trouble.

Skipper Wheeler then led a rally to raise brief hopes of a late order resurgence, but when he was caught for a battling 51 the end came quickly, with spinners Neil Hurst (3-41) and Mike Stead (3-17) to finishing Colwall off.

In contrast, Colwall seconds encountered few problems as they eased to a six-wicket win at Hagley in Second XI Division One.

Put in to bat, Hagley amassed a total of 212 thanks to opener Tom Higgs (60) and Tom Cunningham (35) before they were dismissed in the 49th over.

Stu Martin took 4-57, ably backed up by Gus Milton (2-35) and John Card (2-40), while PJ Recordon, Eddie Hill and Sam Bradley claimed a wicket apiece.

Idris Mohammed (25) and John Card (51) gave Colwall the perfect start in reply.

Will Bishop (34) and Adam Greaves (26) then consolidated before Ewan Buttle and Recordon sealed victory, finishing unbeaten on 31 and 25 respectively.

Colwall fourths went down by 59 runs at Woolhope seconds in Marches League Division Four.

An unbeaten 92 from opener Adrian Thomas provided the backbone of the home innings as they reached 191 for seven batting first. Paddy Brennan (25) added late runs as five bowlers all took a wicket for Colwall.

Ash Jones hit a rapid 27 to keep Colwall in contention after tea, while Phil Steers (31) and Rob Sigley (21) both resisted strongly, before Stuart Williams (3-11) and Brennan (3-45) broke through to leave Colwall 132 all out.