AN INSPIRED spell of four wickets in four balls from Jack Brain helped Knighton-on-Teme to victory over Colwall 3rds in Marches League Division Two.

Brain’s pace was just too much for the visitors’ middle and late order as they were dismissed for 67 in a rain-hit game.

In fact Brain was on for five in five had Jack Kitchen not spoiled the party by taking the last wicket to fall.

Knighton had earlier made 106, the target reduced to a revised 103 off 32 overs but one which skipper Matt James always felt would be enough.

His theory was backed up as Rich Smith (3-31) and Dave Chance (2-14) made the early inroads before Brain added the coup de grace.

James, who made a crucial 41 opening for Knighton which helped them to their total, was delighted with the win.

“I’d probably have bowled first if I’d won the toss because there were some showers about,” said James, who then saw three rain delays during the afternoon.

“One thing you can always guarantee at our place is a result. The pitch is very low and slow, and it’s difficult to get the ball away. We are near the river and the water table is so high it will probably not be dry until about September.

“But I always felt 106 would be enough even though we haven’t played Colwall before as they are a newly promoted team to our division.

“It’s a tacky wicket and I had every confidence we had the bowlers to get the wickets.

“When Jack got his hat-trick we all crowded in again and couldn’t believe it when he got a fourth but that was the end of his over. You do see hat-tricks from time to time but not four in four.”

James said he’d had to dig in when the home side batted to help them to any sort of total.

“I was in for more than 20 overs and knew I had to stick around but also get some runs on the board."

Skipper James was aided by Rob James (12) and Kitchen (10) with D Bannister taking 5-29 for the away side.

The win puts Knighton up to fourth in the table and after a bye next week they now face a run of away games.

“It puts us in a decent position,” said James. ”If we get a settled side for the rest of the season which we haven’t had so far then I can imagine us picking up a few wins in those away games."