8:20am Monday 6th September 2010
ON a dramatic final day at the top of the GB Liners Marches League, reigning champions Garnons sneaked through to retain their crown.
The title-holders needed a win at Bartestree & Lugwardine to have any hope of holding on to their crown and achieved their success by two wickets with Andy Johnson (35 not out) guiding them home.
But they also needed Bosbury to beat previous leaders Goodrich, which they did by four wickets to knock the south Herefordshire club back into second place.
The results left Garnons as champions by just 0.8 of a point, while Bosbury’s win secured third spot in their first season in the top flight.
In the only other game in the division to be completed, Luctonians enjoyed a comprehensive eight-wicket success over Crickhowell.
Will Hicks, with 7-29, produced a fine spell of bowling to skittle the Welshmen out for just 79.
In Division 2, Glangrwyney clinched the second promotion place behind champions Shobdon by an even narrower margin.
With their game against Shobdon and the Hay’s visit to Herefordians falling victim to the damp conditions, Glangrwyney held on to second place by just 0.1 of a point.
In Division 3, champions Almeley were also without a game due to the weather but runners-up Colwall 3rd gained the other promotion spot despite a final-day defeat by relegated Bishop’s School, for whom Duncan Sparrow contributed an unbeaten 74.
In Division 4, Builth Wells 2nd were crowned champions when a lack of players prevented Eastnor 3rd from fulfilling their fixture at Garth Road.
Meanwhile, Wormelow 3rd’s success over Ledbury 2nd was not enough for them to grab the other promotion place from Bartestree & Lugwardine 2nd, who go up after beating Hereford 2nd by 25 runs.
Hereford finish one place off bottom spot in the division, a place ahead of Moccas who complete their slide from Division 2 to Division 5 in successive seasons.
They will be replaced by Knighton who were one of only two sides to go through the league programme unbeaten - Shobdon were the other.
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