Hay-on-Wye boosted their promotion hopes in the Worcester Cricket League Division 8 (South) with a fine 6 wicket win at leaders, Ross on Wye. Hay travelled without a host of regulars but dug deep especially in-form all rounder, John Sly who followed up his 7 wicket haul the previous week with a century and four more wickets.

Ross, batting first, were reduced to 36 for 3 by Mark Burgess (2-47) and Gabriel Moore (1-32). Muhammed Noufal Fazaludeen led their recovery with 122 from 91 balls. Sly (4-59) got rid of the centurian and Gareth Grant, Gus Price and David Cooke each picked up a wicket as Ross were all out for 203.

John Sly and Tim Masters put on 64 for the first wicket for Hay before Masters was bowled for 25. Sly and returning captain. Gareth Grant (41) then added a further 103 to take the game away from Ross. Gabriel Moore made 17 and Mark Burgess hit two fours to win the game with eight balls remaining. Man of the match, Sly was unbeaten on exactly a hundred from 128 balls which included fifteen fours.

A spokesperson for Hay CC said: “Up there with our best wins in recent seasons, with the guys digging deep in the field when the ball was frequently being hit to the boundary. A turnaround to bowl Ross out for a chaseable total, followed by Tim M, Gareth and John anchoring the run chase, with support from Gabe and a match-winning moment from Mark. A top day’s cricket and a fantastic win!”

Builth Wells picked up maximum points in Division 6 (South) without bowling a ball when scheduled opponents, Wormelow conceded the game. Builth remain 14 points ahead at the top of the table going into a huge game this week-end when they travel to second placed Stone CC.