WITH thunderclouds threatening at Ghost Meadow, Presteigne were asked to bat first, but their openers were quickly removed by Colwall pacemen Charlie Geiss and Clive Kendall.

COLWALL III v PRESTEIGNE

Kettle and Ammonds then built a steady partnership until the first downpour, after 14 overs. Two overs were lost by the time play resumed.

Critchard removed Kettle and the veteran Holland turned in another good spell taking 3-26, including the wicket of the hard-hitting Ammonds for 31.

Good catches were taken by Wheeler (two), Davey and Mc Queen. After 28 overs, with Presteigne on 97-7, the second downpour came, with nearly an inch of rain.

A further 32 overs were lost and both captains studied the rule book to see how the match might continue.

Only 18 overs remained by 7pm, so Presteigne's innings was closed and Colwall elected to chase 98 in a `winner takes all' shoot-out.

Openers Purser (14) and McQueen (20) got off to a flying start, before both were well caught on the boundary in the fifth and sixth overs.

The in-form Andy Bishop (24) and Matt Berry (34no) then put together a decisive partnership, taking the score to 89 before Bishop was bowled and two other quick wickets followed.

Ammonds' spell of 4-36 became a real threat, but Berry promptly settled the issue with a straight driven four to see Colwall home to another win with 15 points, staying top of the table.

Colwall won by five wickets and collected 15 points.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Colwall thirds are due to be at home to Garnons.