Builth Wells beat Brockhampton thirds by five wickets in the Worcester League Division Seven (South) at Garth Road, writes Paul Worts.

The Bulls bounced back from defeat at Strollers the previous week by dismissing the visitors for 171. Builth got off to a good start with captain, Dylan McPhee, who bowled a miserly spell of 2-8 in his nine overs, picking up two early Brockhampton wickets. Robin Holgate (51) and Elliot Jones (52) then shared in an 85-run stand which was broken when Aled Powell removed Jones. Occasional bowler, Powell went on to take 3-23, Martin Hurst took 2-47 and there was a wicket each for Paul Greenway and Sujeewa Senarathne.

New wicketkeeper/batsman, Neil Harris (46) led Builth’s reply and McPhee chipped in with 22 before Tim Richards (31 not out) and the returning Chris Roff (33 not out) saw Builth over the line in the 26th over.

It was a good day all round for Builth with their second team coming home from Almeley seconds with a huge 209-run win. Batting first, Builth posted 263 for 7 with captain, Jonny Curzon (88) leading by example while there were also runs for Paul Rowe (62) and Mark Stafford Tolley (47). Builth then bowled Almeley out for 54 with Dai Davies picking up 4-23.

Presteigne were frustrated when their trip to Luctonians seconds was postponed with the Kingsland outfit unable to field a team while Kington seconds were also unable to fulfil their fixture at Moccas in Division Nine.

Hay got off to a losing start in Division Eight (South) going down by 29 runs at home to Luctonians whose opener, Chris Ibbetson (85) made more than half his side’s total of 159 all out. Captain, Gareth Grant (3-21) led the Hay wicket takers while there were two wickets each for Mark Burgess, Gabriel Moore and John Sly. Hay’s batters let them down although Tim Davies (25), Moore (20) and Gus Price (20) got runs down the order to give them a chance but they fell short at 130 for 9 at the close.

Elsewhere in Division Eight, Kington notched a massive 211 run victory over Ledbuy 2nds with Jacob Houchin starring with 6-20 as Ledbury were bowled out for 44. Earlier Kington themselves had been all out for 255 in the last over of their innings with a 130-run second wicket partnership between Henry Powell (68) and Laura Wade (46) the highlight while captain, Duncan Morgan (38) and Houchin (25) also contributed.