ANOTHER abject batting performance saw Colwall go down by six wickets at second-placed Cookley in Worcestershire League Division One.

With rain delaying the start for 90 minutes and reducing the contest to 31 overs per side, Colwall struggled for runs from the outset against accurate bowling.

Nick Brown was first to go caught off Gary Mills with the score on 18 and when he bowled Fergus Cameron (16) the rot began to set in. Skipper Ben Wheeler was trapped lbw by Paul Thomas who then had Ancil Nedd caught for 20 and after that left-arm spinner Jamie Rudd took over to reduce the Colwall lower order to ruins.

Only Jono Gooch with 17 resisted for any length of time as Rudd went on to take 5-28, capturing the last two wickets in the 29th over as Colwall were dismissed for just 97.

Cookley hardly found it any easier to bat as Mike King took 2-29 in an accurate 11-over spell while Mike Gooch clean bowled Rudd as the hosts faltered to 41-3 in reply. Jono Gooch also picked up a wicket but an unbeaten 24 from Adam Nichols and 18 from Thomas saw Cookley home with ease.

Colwall seconds emulated the senior side with a similarly lacklustre batting display as they tumbled to a 100-run home defeat by bottom club Evesham in Second XI Division One.

Evesham reached a respectable total of 214 before they were dismissed in the 43rd over as Eddie Hill and PJ Recordon took three wickets apiece.

Colwall never got going in reply as only a typically brutal 42 from Henry Coleman delayed a crushing defeat as they were sent packing for 114 in the 23rd over. And there was a similar outcome for Colwall thirds as they succumbed by 104 runs at Ledbury in Marches League Division Two.

Put in to bat Ledbury were given a solid start by openers Josh Evans (22) and Paul Andrews (34), while Tom Wallis (34), Dave Peacock (17) and Chris Ritchie (29) took the final total to 193, Ash Jones claiming 4-44 and five other bowlers all taking a wicket for Colwall.

Despite an initial flurry of runs from Dick Tugwell (16) and Jones (10), Colwall failed to cope with the pace and movement of Steve Large as from 40-2 they slumped to 47-9 before a last-wicket stand of 42 between Paul Barnes (13) and Toby Clifford (15) saw the final total to 89. Large finished with an impressive 6-15 return from his 12 overs.

Colwall fourths supplied the only victory, beating Luctonians thirds by nine wickets in Division Four.

Josh Phillips took 4-35, while Chris Horne and Cam Smith claimed two wickets apiece as Luctonians were bowled out for 180. Bunting (76) and Austin (50) hit the majority of the runs.

Colwall encountered few problems in reply as Adam Greaves hit a sparkling 92 and Simon Oliver finished unbeaten on 59 out of 183-1 in a comfortable chase.