6/5/05 - Colwall players chance to shine

Waterlogging on the Ghost Meadow outfield prevented two games from being played, so three teams contested a 30-over contest.

For many it was a chance to see Tom Macnara and Jonathan Prince show what they can do with a ball in hand. First team captain, Tom Wolfendale was certain to be impressed as MacNamara swung one in to shatter his off stump and then Prince had vice-captain Jordan Kontarines smartly stumped by Tim Riley behind the wicket.

Last season's opening bowler in the second XI, Chris Wheeler took his opportunity to argue his case for promotion to the first XI with an accurate spell of pace bowling and some aggressive batting. Amongst the other young pretenders, Matt Fortnum showed a new assertiveness in his batting.

Robin Lloyd made batting look easy on the slow wicket, playing some rattling drives to Nick Panniers' bowling, whilst Toby Dudfield showed his promise in all departments of the game.

Fourth team skipper, Myron Lawrence, found himself batting against the deceptive leg spin of his eldest son Aaron and was lucky to 'escape' his very first ball, which looked a certain LBW

With several players coming back to the club and a host of new faces, Colwall are looking forward to pressing claims for title honours.

For the first and second team it is the Stround and Swindon West of England Premier League Gloucs and Witls division one whilst the thirds play in the Herefordshire League and the Fourths in the Worcestershire Leagues.

This weekend, the first and second XI play against Bredon in the league (first team away), whilst the thirds are away to Kington and the fourth team has a home fixture with Stourbridge.

On Sunday, the road to Lords in the NPower National Village Knockout begins with a home tie against Belbroughton. Last year Colwall reached the area final before losing to Chaddesley Corbett.

Also at home on Sunday is the first game in the Sunday League when the visitors will be Bromyard.