COLWALL v KIDDERMINSTER

COLWALL'S patience paid off on bank holiday Monday when after a three hour rain break and a concerted mopping-up effort, a winning draw was forced in adverse conditions.

With all the other leading teams unable to play, the gap at the top was narrowed to leave Colwall in touch with the pace setters.

Just five overs were possible at the start of the game. Mike King was caught at slip in the first over, whilst Tom Wolfendale and David Powell progressed comfortably to 30. Coming off it looked unlikely that the game would resume, especially when a pair of mallards took up residence on the sheet covering the middle.

Refusing to accept the easy option of going home, the wait was made worthwhile when, in very damp conditions the game recommenced. With the match a maximum length of 51 overs the Colwall team had 20 of its possible 26 overs remaining.

Electing to score in ones and twos Wolfendale and Powell took advantage of a deep set field to maintain a run rate in excess of six and over. Powell fell with ten overs remaining, a succession of Colwall bastmen joining Wolfendale for brief but productive partnerships with Wolfendale passing 50 before perishing caught in the deep. Luke Ledbury and Tim Riley took the total past 150 for a second batting point .

Kidderminster had 25 overs of batting to try to overhaul the target.

Damien Berry got Colwall off to the best of starts, clean bowling Mitchell with his second ball. Charlie Griffiths struck in his second over with Wolfendale taking the smartest of slip catches.

With only 11 runs coming from the first five overs Kidderminster's remaining option was the subsidiary target of 114 for a losing draw.

Colwall pressed and picked up two more wickets in next ten overs. As the game looked to be meandering to a conclusion, the second of the Mitchell brothers decided to go on the offensive.

He launched James Wagstaff three times over his head, as the leg spinner struggled with the cold and the breeze. Damien Berry returned to shatter Mitchell's stumps and pick up his third and fourth wickets as Kidderminster closed the game on 105 -6.

Colwall 14pts, Kidderminster 3.