AFTER a late start Eastnor easily defeated fifth-placed Martley by 118 runs in this WCL Division Two match to maintain their fourth place.

EASTNOR v MARTLEY

Batting first, the villagers started well as Keith Fortey (24) and Don Baker (19) put on 40 runs in the first nine overs before Wood claimed both batsmen. Jabran (16) was next to follow to Fidoe but Shahid (43) upped the pace and together with Faisal and Chris Ferreira (18) took the total on.

Hopkins (4-49) including four maidens in a row bowled well for Martley but an unbeaten 28 by Nick Bollen and 17 from Zubair put on 48 runs for the villagers ninth wicket in the final six overs, posting 221 for the visitors to score.

Shahid made early inroads into the Martley batting as he claimed both openers with just 20 runs on the board. Knight (18), Fidoe (14) and Hopkins (19) tried to fight back but the introduction of Jabran (4-16) seemed to seal their fate as wickets fell at all too regular intervals.

Basford (17) kept the tail alive for a while before Shahid (5-23) put an end to the day in the 38th over.

MARTLEY II v EASTNOR II

EASTNOR Seconds' recent good form continued with a win at Martley on Saturday.

On winning the toss the visitors elected to field and soon had the home team in trouble with Large and Naseer picking up five early wickets.

B Smith (36) and Williams (30) started a fight back until the deserving Hurrell had Williams caught.

With Hurrell and Phillips bowling the next two batsmen Martley were struggling to make three figures until young Vale (20) gave Smith some support until the former was dismissed by Haggar.

The returning Large then had Smith caught in the deep by Pat Locke for his fourth wicket to leave the hosts all out for 136.

Eastnor lost Barnes in the first over of their reply. Astbury (22) and Greaves (54no) then took the score to 64 when Astbury was bowled.

The visitors lost two more wickets soon after before Naseer (27no) helped Greaves see them to victory by six wickets.

Eastnor 3rd XI versus Talgarth 3rd XI in the H & DCL was rained off.