BULMERS moved to within a point of being the first Hereford Times Hereford-shire League side to secure a title when their crushing 9-1 win over Holme Lacy Reserves gave them a virtually unassailable lead in the Division 3 title race.

Only Bartestree Reserves, who still have six games to play, could now draw level with the city side, who would also have to lose all three of their remaining games not to carry off the championship.

Bulmers have suffered only one defeat in the league and their excellent form has also seen them secure a place in the semi-finals of the HFL Peterson Cup this weekend where, ironically, they will come up against Marriotts, the only team to beat them this season, 3-2 back in October. In addition, they will contest the Ross A Cup final with Ewyas Harold Reserves later this season.

Bulmers have built their title challenge on an impressive tally in the 'goals for' column, and of their 69 strikes to date Mark Harrison has contributed a remarkable 41.

Harrison led the way again on Saturday, notching a hat-trick, all three of which were set up by Neil McLaren who also added a goal of his own.

Paul Eckley, Mark Reynolds, Andrew Pearce, William Powell and goalkeeper Steve Green, who fired in his first of the season from the penalty spot, scored the others.