INDIAN paceman Sami Akhtar made an impressive debut as bottom of the table Malmesbury arrested their losing run with a 40-run home win over Colwall on Saturday 13th July.

Colwall won the toss and inserted the hosts, who made a slow start as the run rate reached little more than two an over for the first 20 overs.

Richard Mosdell, Jeremy Newman and Richard Gaunt all failed with the bat during this period, while Chris Hurst lasted until the 18th over before departing for 13.

James Tweedale reached 11 before being caught and bowled, before Ian Gould and James Pearce-Smith shared the longest stand as they scored 19 and 15 in 11 overs.

Andy Moore and Mark Lester continued the struggle and added 20 precious runs, with Lester finishing as the top scorer on 20. The hosts were dismissed for 104 in the 46th over, gifting Colwall 54 overs to reach their target.

Akhtar, from the Bombay under 22s squad, produced an opening spell of three for 14 as Colwall struggled in reply, the overseas man assisted by some good work from wicketkeeper Tweedale.

Mosdell was equally effective, taking three wickets in his first three over, and the score was 32 for six in the 11th over. Ferguson and Kontarides attempted to repair the damage and added 24 before Ferguson was run out by Ed Shellard.

Akhtar then took two wickets in successive overs, removing Kontarides for 23, to take his total to five and Lester ended the visitors' innings on 64 with another run out.

Malmesbury travel to local rivals Wootton Bassett on Saturday.