GARNONS beat defending champions Luctonians by six wickets as the 2017/18 GB Liners Marches League season got underway at the weekend.

Alan Jones' 66 and Richard Scarclif's 48 helped Garnons reach their target in just 28.5 overs.

Luctonians chose to bat after winning the toss but only Ed Rollings, batting at five, posted any notable runs.

Opener Duncan Platford could only score 11, while his son James went for a duck.

Hamish Light and Ian Probert also only posted five runs each.

Rolling's unbeaten 77 gave Lucs hope, but fine bowling from James Bolton and Thomas James saw Garnons bowl their opponents out for 171.

Openers Jack Stockdale and James Debenham did go cheaply for Garnons when they were put into bat, but Jones and Scarclif saw them home.

Brockhampton 3rd and Dales, who gained promotion from Division Two, both lost.

Goodrich saw off Brockhampton by seven wickets, while Glangrwyney beat Dales by 24 runs.

Elsewhere, a half century from Ben Smith saw Kington overcome Woolhope by four wickets and Builth Wells comfortably beat Abergavenny-Crickhowell by 76 runs.

Ross-on-Wye decided to drop into the Marches League this season and are playing in Division Two.

However, they lost their opening game to Luctonians 2nds by six wickets; Chris Ibbetson scoring 63 for Lucs.

Despite scoring a handsome 272-8, Ledbury had to settle for a winning draw against Knighton-on-Teme after failing to bowl out their opponents, while Colwall 3rds beat Cleobury Mortimer by 50 runs and Almeley saw off Eastnor 3rds by 90 runs.

Presteigne were unable to raise a side at Canon Frome and are subsequently deducted 10 points.

Two other teams have also suffered the same fate; Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 3rds in Division Three and Eastnor 4ths in Division Four.