COLWALL began their series of late season friendlies with a 32 run victory over Lydney at Stowe Lane thanks to Steve Ferguson's 80 runs and James Wagstaff's five wickets.

COLWALL v LYDNEY

Batting first Colwall soon worked up a healthy run rate as Tim Riley's rapid 23 set the pace on a slow grassy wicket. Colwall were reduced 46-3 inside 12 overs however as Bishop's (2-28) tidy spell reaped its rewards.

It required an excellent 113 run stand between Steve Ferguson and Jordan Kontarines to rebuild the innings with Kontarines reaching his half century in just 45 balls. His well worked 65 and Ferguson's hard hitting 80 runs, which included no fewer than 14 boundaries, pushed Colwall to 201-5 with five overs remaining.

A middle order and tail collapsed in the search for late runs then ended the innings prematurely with Colwall posting just 18 more runs. Park's late five wicket spree did the damage with the ball to leave the home side 219 all out.

Despite Lydney being set back to 13-3 early on after wickets for Luke McQueen and Jordan Kontarines, youngsters Legge and Kear (J) staged an impressive fight back to collect a fine 163 runs for the fourth wicket.

Both players' well timed innings looked to give Lydney the edge with 15 overs left before James Wagstaff and Clive Kendall's experience tied down the pair to increase the required run rate significantly. Legge (67) and Kear (74) both fell to Wagstaff inside three overs before a middle order slump allowed no way back for the visitors.

Wagstaff wrapped up the innings with superb figures of 5-20 from seven overs and matched with Kendall's accurate 1-22 ensured Colwall victory by 32 runs.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Colwall play their final league game away at Hatherley & Reddings. The match starts at 1pm.