Builth Wells moved joint top of the Worcester Cricket League Division 6 without bowling a ball.

The Bulls were awarded 20 points when Ombersley 3rds were unable to field a side for their scheduled fixture and, coupled with Ledbury’s first defeat, they now head the table level with Ledbury and Stone CC.

Builth Wells 2nds continued their promising start with an eight-wicket win over Almeley 2nds at Garth Road in Division 9 (North Herefordshire). Almeley were bowled out for 68, with Eurig Towns (2-8) and Dai Davies (2-11) making early inroads before Michael Griffiths took 3-9. Debutant Kadz Bailey and Owen Evans also took a wicket each. In reply, Builth eased to victory, losing just two wickets, as Richard Galton made 33 not out and Owen Evans 31 not out.

Hay-on-Wye claimed their first win in Division 8 (South), beating Bartestree & Lugwardine 3rds by 39 runs.

Wayne Evans (41) and Will Price (47) set the platform before Johnny Price (29) and Tom Davies (31) helped them reach 230 all out.

In reply, Bartestree were restricted by Mark Burgess (1-23) and Gabriel Moore (0-24), before John Barry took 4-45 and Jonny Price 2-25. John Sly (2-10) finished off the innings as the visitors were bowled out for 191.

Meanwhile, Presteigne suffered an agonising one-wicket defeat at home against Ross-on-Wye. Put into bat, Presteigne amassed 308-7, with centurion Luke Jones making 119. Dave Austin (45), James Chilman (41), Charlie Sankey (32) and Merv Stephens (25) took Presteigne to what looked a winning total.

Ross, however, started strongly and reached 250-4 off the first 20 overs, with big hitting from Muhammed Noufal Fazaludeen (109) and Kiran Krishnan (71). But Austin (3-55) and Sankey (3-44) pegged them back to 300-9. It was anyone’s game, but Ross got over the line with the last pair at the wicket.