Champions turn up heat (From Hereford Times)

Champions turn up heat

8:30am Saturday 4th June 2011 in Cricket

BUILTH Wells maintained their perfect start to the season with a narrow sevenrun win at Goodrich. The Welsh outfit rattled up 235-7 and then bowled the home side out for 228 off the penultimate ball.

A big third-wicket partnership between Tim Richards (81) and Eric De Greeve (83) laid the foundation for the win. De Greeve followed up by taking four cheap wickets at the top of the Goodrich innings but Andrew Brown (41), Andrew Evans (52) and Eddie Pyatt (46) kept the south Herefordshire side in the contest.

Kington maintained their unbeaten start to the season when they chased down a score of 222-9 at Bosbury.

They got home with three wickets and seven overs to spare.

Openers Dave Spiller (91) and Steve Emery (60) gave Bosbury an excellent foundation but Luke Ledbury (26) was the only other batsman to prosper against Rhys Price (4-46) and Ed Lovell (3- 28). Lovell (67), David Morgan (32)and Ben George (37 no) led the Kington victory charge.

Reigning champions Garnons are hot on their heels after recording a 68- run home win over Bartestree & Lugwardine.

Garnons plundered 269 and then restricted Bartestree to 201-8.

Simon Withers (51), James Debenham (49) paved the way with an opening partnership of 122 for Garnons, allowing Alan Jones (83) to open his shoulders during the second half of the innings. Bartestree lost three quick wickets, but Ben Simpkin (30), Gary Hattingh (57) and Jamie Blanchard (51) kept Bartestree in the picture.

Luctonians returned home from Glangrwyney with a three wicket win.

They got home with six overs to spare after holding the Welshmen to 192-6.

Joe Bowker (77) received good support from most of his partners, and James Platford (73) was in a similar position after tea.

Ben Bowker (3-37) finished with the best bowling figures.

Crickhowell amassed a massive total of 359-5 at Shobdon and went on to bowl the home side out for 222 in a 139-run success.