PRESTEIGNE maintained their bright start to the Marches League third division campaign with a 32 run win over Shire Bulls at Broadaxe.
Openers Will Kleiser (22) and James Bray put on 43 for the first wicket, before Kleiser was run out in the cruellest of fashions.
Bray’s straight drive deflected off the bowler’s finger tips and into the stumps at the non-striker’s end, with the Presteigne skipper stranded.
James Bray went on to make 45 with support from John Bray (17) and Billy Davies who put bat to ball effectively in making a brisk 31, as Presteigne were bowled out for 161 in just 35 overs.
Jo Privett had a day to remember for the Bulls with figures of 6-36.
Presteigne’s makeshift attack carved out an unlikely victory in reply.
Dave Rounds and Will Kleiser picked up seven wickets between them with Rounds (5-44) and Kleiser (2-9) taking starring roles, with Robin Sparey (2-30) dismissing the Bulls for 129.
“We fielded very well and generally held on to the catches which was key, so this was a very pleasing victory,” said skipper Kleiser.
Builth Wells IIs fell just 13 runs short at Strollers elsewhere in division three.
The hosts were limited to 147-7 following a bright bowling display from Simon Morgan (3-7) who accounted for the top order.
A 98 run sixth wicket partnership between Chris Hutchinson (53) and Martin Skirrow (43) revived the Stollers’ hopes of victory.
Simon Albright (4-35) and Chris Arnold (3-22) made light work of the Builth Wells order in reply, with only opener Harry Savage (52) showing any resistance as they fell just short on 134.
A high scoring encounter in division four saw Knighton fall to a 51 run defeat at Ledbury IIs.
Opener Rob Yeoman (83) formed a fruitful second wicket partnership with Dave Peacock (71), as Ledbury set a big total of 263-5 to chase.
Sam Williams led Knighton’s reply with a top drawer display seeing him include 17 fours and six sixes in a purposeful knock of 132.
However Simon Ritchie (3-55) and Peacock (3-49) dominated for Ledbury, with Clive Jones (2-32) finally bowling Williams.
n Builth Wells endured another frustrating day when their first division clash with Bosbury was abandoned due to the rain.
A stylish 35 from Sam Buckler and a second half century of the season from Tim Richards (58) helped Builth lay strong foundations.
Antony Mead (18) chipped in before Paul Greenway (21no) and James Morgan (10no) combined for the seventh wicket and pushed Builth to 207-6.
Adam Morgan massacred the Bosbury order in a lightning 12 overs ending with 6-33, only for rain to stop play with the visitors wobbling on 97-7.
Llandrindod Wells were also frustrated by the weather at home to Ledbury in division two.
Mark Evans (2-49) was the pick of the home attack, which struggled to restrict Ledbury to 201-5 to defend, with Matt Ehrlich starring with a half century.
James Brighton (40), Dave Nash (38no) and Maurice Embrey (34) also chipped in.
Phil Butcher (38no) and Robin Edwards (36no) pushed Llandrindod to an encouraging 92-1, when the rain ended play.