HARD-HITTING Colwall batsman Henry Coleman blitzed a century from just 24 balls — including six sixes in an over — but it wasn’t enough to defeat Worcester Nomads.

Coleman blasted the unfortunate Nomads bowler Nic Lloyd for 36 runs in an over before he was eventually dismissed for 123 from 29 deliveries.

Coleman’s whirlwind knock propelled Colwall to 356-8 but Nomads stormed to a five-wicket win in the 48th over after Tim Dobinson-Law (108) led the hosts home in the Worcestershire League Second XI Division One clash.

It has been a summer of runs for Coleman, who has now scored four centuries and is the Worcester News player of the week for the second time this season.

Coleman had previously carried off the award in May after hitting 152 against Bewdley Seconds and, once again, wins a £25 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher for his efforts.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Colwall chairman Gareth Bakewell believes Coleman has set a new record for the fastest league century for the club.

Bakewell said: “We were playing in the middle of the park at Nomads and it’s a fairly big ground. Henry just kept striking the ball further and further. He has a fairly simple philosophy when it comes to batting – he sees the ball and hits it.

“He got his half-century from 13 balls and reached his hundred from 24. Nothing surprises us, we’re used to seeing hitting from Henry like that.”

Coleman’s innings lasted for less than half-an-hour after he arrived at the crease with Colwall at 113-2.

After crashing 16 sixes and five fours, the big hitter departed, caught at long on by Jamie Oliver off the bowling of Lewis Austin, with Colwall at 252-3.

Bakewell said: “It was remarkable – Henry was at his destructive best and lost several balls which the home team are probably still searching for. He did the same at Bewdley last year and hit six balls into the river.”

In 2012, Coleman took a liking to the attacking of Herefordshire team Garnons in the Marches League.

He battered 18 sixes in an unbeaten 181 for Colwall thirds as they overhauled Garnons’ seconds total of 204 in just 11.3 overs.

Chairman Bakewell said it was disappointing Coleman’s innings didn’t prove enough to see off Nomads’ challenge.

“We were very light on bowling – but Worcester Nomads are a very good side and I thought they batted very well,” he said.