BURGHILL and Tillington opened up the Division 1 title race in the Flint and Cook Marches League when they inflicted the first defeat of the season on champions Mon-mouth.

After a shaky start their batsmen took control to set a huge total of 286-6, and then the bowlers took over to restrict the Welshmen to 200-7 and win by 86 runs at home.

Burghill batted first after winning the toss but were soon in trouble, losing skipper Clive Chadhani (28) and Peter Bailey with just 31 on the board. New Zealander Nick Phelps and Kingsley Morris set about repairing the damage with a third wicket partnership of 145, Morris contributing a rapid 76 including eight fours and five sixes.

Phelps, who had been fairly subdued to this point, took control of the innings and completed his fourth century of the season, finishing up unbeaten on 133 with 21 boundaries and two sixes. Aled Jones and Dave Teague picked up two wickets apiece.

Phelps made an early impression with the ball, removing both openers with just 25 runs on the board. Teague (48) and Jonathan Jones (21) gave the visitors some hope, reaching 108-3 at the mid-point of the innings. They failed to maintain the tempo, however, with Charlie Bye (24), Paul Swingwood (17 not out) and skipper Dan Head (14 not out) giving up the run-chase and settling for bonus points.

Morris was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-40 from 11 overs and youngster Bailey also weighed in with two wickets.

Talgarth, the third side with title aspirations, consolidated their third position with an easy eight-wicket win at Llandrindod Wells.

Talgarth bowled the Spa side out for 115 with Robin Edwards (49) scoring nearly half of their runs. Kiwi Glen Reynolds led the way with 4-21, while Sam Williams and Glyn Harrhy took a couple of wickets apiece.

It was a good day for the Kiwis as Haydn Whiting (62) propelled the visitors to a comfortable win and received solid support from Mark Waldeck (24).

Garnons were comfortable seven-wicket away winners against struggling Canon Frome. They had over 20 overs to spare as they passed the home team's total of 157-8 for the loss of just three wickets.

Opener Rob Mence hit exactly 50 for Frome and with his first three partners, Chris Styles, Andy Rogers and Neil Andrews, all reaching double figures the prospects looked reasonable on 77-3 at the mid-point of the innings.

But they were unable to increase the momentum and with Jon Williams (23) and Marcus Wrinch (19 not out) the only double figure contributors in the second half of the innings, they completed their 45-over stint at 157-8. Andy Brace (3-38) and Stuart Griffiths (3-49) did the damage for Garnons.

Alan Jones and Jon Andrews (16) had the innings off to a blistering start with 44 off the first seven overs before Chris Styles removed the latter plus the new batsman in consecutive balls. Jones fell to Neil Andrews at 92 for 48 made off 50 balls.

Any thoughts by the home side that this set-back might slow the run rate down were soon dashed by Brace. He blasted 41 from just 25 balls and with Sam Bendall (42) scoring at almost a run a ball, the end was quickly reached with Garnons on 158-3.

Goodrich ended Glangrwyney's mini-revival by hammering the Welshmen by 113 runs.

Phil Evans' undefeated 82 was the cornerstone of Goodrich's 239-8 with Mike Evans (33) and Andy Russell (27) chipping in with some useful support.

Will Precious batted well for his 52 in Glangrwyney's reply but his team-mates struggled against Mark Bradford, who finished with 5-34, and Andy Evans (2-17) as they were all out for 126.