Ledbury Cricket Club enjoyed contrasting fortunes last weekend, comfortably beating promotion chasing Goodrich II on Saturday, before themselves being easily beaten in the quarter-final of the Marches cup by Crickhowell the following day.

On Saturday, having been beaten in their last three matches, Ledbury finally turned in a consistent display to dent Goodrich's promotion hopes.

Deciding to bat, Ledbury made a good start as Burgess and Yeoman added 43 for the first wicket before Burgess perished in the 20s when looking set for a big score.

This introduced Embrey to the wicket and he continued his fine run of form with a now trademark flurry of boundaries and cleverly worked singles, he and Yeoman added 75 for the second wicket before the latter was removed for a patient 20.

Embrey followed an over later for 69 off just 62 balls (12 4s) and in the search for quick runs Pat Locke also perished for one. Tom Locke and Dan Herbert repaired the situation with quickfire knocks of 28 and 22 respectively to help carry Ledbury up to 202-6 in their 45 overs.

Goodrich's reply got off to a dreadful start as the extra pace and bounce of Herbert (3-60) accounted for their top three batsman. Hope responded by going on the offensive thrashing a rapid 29 before being caught by Griffin off Clueit. When the diving Embrey at slip caught Heath for one in the next over the match looked almost over with Goodrich 49-5.

Donovan (27) and the youngster O' Brien (30) weathered the storm and then compiled a dangerous stand of 59 for the sixth wicket to leave the result in some doubt.

Duckworth (2-22) and Herbert were brought back into the attack and again their extra pace did the trick, with Herbert unsettling the batsman and Duckworth snapping both up in one over, due reward for a fine spell of bowling.

With this Goodrich shut up shop to finish 149-8.

Sunday was a different story altogether as against division two leaders Crickhowell, Ledbury turned in a disappointing performance with the bat and were easily beaten by eight wickets.

The match had started well as after the early exit of Burgess, Yeoman (20) who was finding the extra pace of the bowling to his liking and Embrey (37) again carried Ledbury to 58-1 approaching the half way stage. But when Yeoman was somewhat harshly adjudged LBW, Ledbury's middle and lower order fell away and they were bowled out for 117.

Crickhowell made short work of this target with Cornock smashing a blistering 58 with two huge 6s and seven 4s. He was supported by G Morgan with a rapid 45.

Ledbury's bowlers did improve as the innings went on but their run total never looked enough.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury travel to Moccas.