Ledbury took the trip into Wales to visit Monmouth and came away with a resounding 121 run victory against a totally outclassed opposition.

MONMOUTH 2ND XI v LEDBURY 1ST XI

Ledbury were relieved to win the toss and bat in the sweltering heat and after the early loss of Rob Yeoman, Jamie Bullock and captain David Taylor began to build a substantial partnership. Taylor began to hit the bowling to all parts, whilst Bullock showed some new found restraint but nonetheless scored steadily.

Bullock and Taylor had taken the score to 149 in the 24th over when Taylor was caught behind for a splendid 79 (twelve 4's) the pair had posted a stand of 147 runs. Unfortunately Bullock fell the very next over for a well compiled 41 (five 4's), there was however no respite for the toiling bowlers as Dan Baker and Maurice Embrey took up the attack.

Baker finally delivered the innings his talents warrant after recent failures, Embrey and Baker added 71 runs for the fourth wicket before Baker fell for a fine 50 (four 4's, two 6's) in the 37th over.

Martin Punt did not last long but Stuart Evans joined Maurice Embrey and the two of them began to unleash a final onslaught as Ledbury closed on a mammoth 284-6, Evans being dismissed off the penultimate ball of the innings for 24 as Maurice Embrey remained unbeaten on 44 (five 4's).

The Ledbury opening bowlers Mark Wadley and Steve Large were in no mood to struggle as their Monmouth counterparts had done, as first Mark Wadley had Pendleton smartly caught in the slips by Stu Evans for 11, and the Steve Large claimed two wickets in his sixth over.

G Pendleton did offer some resistance for Monmouth scoring 49 but the introduction of Steve Evans saw Pendleton on his way back to the pavilion. Evans then in his usual controlled manner began to work his way through the middle order and in the process claiming fine figures of 5-30.

It was left to Steve Large to finish the job as he came back to claim the final wicket, Large finishing with 3-28 as Monmouth were all out in the 41st over for 163 thus giving Ledbury maximum points.

ON SUNDAY Ledbury visited Leominster to play in the Marches Cup but unfortunately could not match the performance of Saturday.

Leominster batted first and totalled 211-7 in their 40 overs mainly due to fine innings by R Finney (73) and R Palmer (70) although again Mark Wadley and Steve Large bowled well.

Ledbury could never really keep up with the required run rate and despite a brilliant 87 by run-machine Maurice Embrey (ten 4's) Ledbury could only manage 170-7 in reply.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury play Llanvapley at home and will hope for some more of the fine batting form that most of the team have displayed recently.