GARNONS remain favourites to carry off the GB Liners Marches League Division One title despite a setback with a surprise one-wicket defeat by mid-table Hay-on-Wye.

Garnons’ usually reliable batting suffered a rare off day as the league leaders were dismissed for 147 after being invited to bat first.

Alan Jones (34) and Rob Pritchard (33 not out) made useful contributions but the remainder of the order failed to make much progress against Richard Runciman (4-34), Joel Alderson (2-23), Tom James (2-35) and Mickey Provis (2-44) and they were bowled out in the 35th over.

The Hay batsmen also found things difficult but a key innings from John Sly ensured that would reach their target from the fifth ball of their sixth additional over.

The match between Garnons’ leading rivals, Goodrich and Luctonians had reached an intriguing point when rain prevented the resumption after tea.

With Andy Brown in fine form with 92, Goodrich had reached 201-8 but Luctonians were unable to begin their response due to the poor weather.

Kington’s Michael Wareing hit 105 to help his club boost their chance of avoiding relegation.

Wareing hit 11 fours and three sixes to propel Kington to 203-9 and a 23-run success against Marden.

Kington are now replaced in the bottom two by their rivals with just two matches remaining.

Weobley, who failed to field a side for their scheduled game against Crickhowell, now look sure to fill the other drop-spot.

In the other top-flight match, a good all-round display from Ed Williams, who followed up a stint of 4-35 with 52, could not prevent Dales from suffering a seven-run reverse at Builth Wells, for whom opener Sam Buckler hit a fine unbeaten 83.

In Division Two, a century from Ledbury’s James Brighton (111no) keeps the Full Pitcher side in promotion contention after a 144-run victory over Presteigne.

And just down the road at Bosbury, Rob Bettington also scored a century with his unbeaten 103 helping the Division Four promotion-hopefuls to a 120-run win over Luctonians 3rd.

Top-score of the day came from Burghill and Tillington 3rd’s Brad Davies who lashed an unbeaten 146 in a 105-run win over Strollers 2nd.