COLWALL marched on to the last 16 of the National Village Knockout on Sunday as Richard Williams performance with both bat and ball took centre stage to gain a comfortable four wicket win over Isham of Northamptonshire.

COLWALL v ISHAM

In a repeat of last year's game, except with Stowe Lane the venue this time, Isham won the toss and choosing to bat took advantage of some early wayward bowling to score 28 off the opening five overs as openers Tim Robinson and Ben Reid gave the visitors a solid start.

Their partnership fell to the accurate throw of Damien Berry however who assisted the run out of Robinson for just 15 as Colwall made the crucial first breakthrough. From then on James Wagstaff and Dave Sutton's excellent leg and off spin respectively tied down the Isham top order and were rewarded with a wicket apiece to reduce the score to 56-3 at the halfway stage of the innings.

Wagstaff's exemplary 1-20 off 9 overs complemented by Sutton's 1-28 ensured only 94 were scored from 30 overs before Richard Williams' eight overs restricted the late run surge even further.

Reid's patient batting for a total of 38 overs warranted a top score of 52 and Paul Hughes 41 in 46 balls formed the base of Isham's 73 in the final ten overs. Williams careful approach brought about figures of 3-37 though and despite 16 runs in the final over Isham could only amass 167-7 in their 40 overs.

Colwall's response was nothing short of perfect given the outstanding 63 runs scored from the opening ten overs as Dave Powell dominated the crease to give the home side the initiative. The left handers free flowing boundaries were the key to Colwall's positive attack on the total and matched with Richard Williams quick fire half century guided them to within sight of victory in only 20 overs.

Colwall had earlier lost Tom Wolfendale for just five to Eaton's bowling but Powell and Williams entertaining 88-run second wicket partnership took apart Isham's under par bowling performance.

Powell fell to a Nash (2-25) leg cutter for 43 before a further three wickets in two over briefly threatened to turn the game.

Lee Hankins, Tim Riley and Steve Ferguson all fell within seven balls, the latter two thanks to Hughes (2-27 off 9) fine second spell to thwart Colwall's grip on the game only 48 runs short of the target.

Richard Williams provided the experience needed however to guide Colwall to a four wicket win as his timely 82 runs, including 14 boundaries, formed the backbone of the innings and collected victory inside 34 overs. Williams was eventually caught at cover off Eaton's bowling but with Jordan Kontarines (16no) impressive off side shot play and Wagstaff's late swing with the bat Colwall booked their place in the last 16.

They now face, Fillongley, the winners of the Warwickshire versus Shropshire group champions, on Sunday week at Stowe Lane.