SAMI AKHTAR was Malmesbury's hero as his five wickets helped defend a lowly total in their Glos/Wilts League Division 1 match at home to Colwall.

Colwall inserted the hosts, and runs were certainly at a premium early on.

Richard Mosdell tried his hand at pinch-hitting, but was no more successful than any other openers of late, Jeremy Newman and Richard Gaunt failed to reach double figures, while Chris Hurst lasted until the 18th over, scoring 13, before becoming Colwall's next victim.

James Tweedale reached 11 but was caught and bowled and the longest stand of six overs was then exceeded handsomely by Ian Gould (19) and James Pearce-Smith, who garnished 15 runs in 11 overs.

Andy Moore and Mark Lester, who top scored with 20 continued the struggle, and added 20 precious runs as Malmesbury reached 102-4 in 46 overs, Kontarides snapping up 4-38.

That left Colwall with 54 overs to reach victory but any thoughts they had of a leisurely coast were soon dispelled.

Akhtar, fresh from his tour with the Calcutta Colts, bowled a warm-up over of some pace, and then added at least another yard of speed for his second over.

Bowling a great off-stump line, and aided by good catching from keeper Tweedale, he finished his first spell with 3-14.

Mosdell was equally spectacular early on, and took three wickets in his second and third over.

The Colwall plan to belt their way to the 105 needed backfired, and the score was 32-6 in the 11th over.

Only Williams, a previous centurion against Malmesbury, had reached double figures, but a small recovery followed as Lester and Ed Shellard replaced the openers.

Colwall still found the runs hard to come by but Kontarides and wicketkeeper Ferguson added 24.

Two chances were put down in this time, but the breakthrough eventually came when a Kontarides drive was deflected by Shellard onto the non-striker's stumps for a run out.

Akhtar then took two wickets in succesive overs, including Kontarides for a well fought 23.

A score of 56-6 became 63-9 in four overs, and a Lester run-out eventually completed Colwall's demise.