Victory seemed unlikely after Builth lost Sam Buckler for a duck and Winston Williams for 13 to leave the home side wobbling on 29-2.

However Tim Richards joined opener Gerald Morgan and following a slow start they steadied the innings.

Richards was unluckily trapped LBW for 46 with the game hanging in the balance at just 88-3.

Morgan took on his accustomed anchor role with Nic Lee taking on the bowling attack with nine fours and three massive sixes in a quickfire 71.

The pair combined for 90 for the fourth wicket with Morgan making his half century before departing for 54.

Jimmy Morgan (8no) joined Lee in seeing Builth to 226-7 as the innings closed.

Builth Wells enjoyed a dream start with the ball as Chris Truelove uprooted Dave Rustell’s leg stump for a duck.

However Crickhowell attacked any loose balls to push themselves onto 98-2 after 15 overs.

Jimmy Morgan (3-50) took the initiative and Rob Wall (4-56) tied down the Crickhowell middle order and tail end as the visitors closed for a disappointing 174-8.

While Builth are unbeaten local rivals Llandrindod Wells suffered a nightmare seven wicket defeat against Glangrwyney at Dyffryn Road.

A disastrous batting display saw the Spamen collapse for a woeful 45 in 26 overs, while only Steve Fuller (16) managed a respectable knock.

Ben Bowker (6-20) enjoyed a fruitful 12 overs, while Joe Bowker (2-19) and Phil Bowker (2-1) also chipped in.

Glangrwyney took 22 overs to prevail after Don Chadima Wickramanayake (1-9) and Maritz Booysen (2-21) caused an early wobble.

However an unbeaten 30 from Nick Jones clinched a comfortable victory for the border visitors.

Meanwhile James Bray starred with bat and ball in Presteigne’s nine wicket win over Bartestree IIs in division three.

Bray pinned together Presteigne’s innings at Broadaxe with a superb 115 before tail enders James Smith (20) and Tony Thompson (21) helped the hosts to 203.

Despite a confident start from Bartestree, Bray (4-33) limited the top order with the only damage inflicted by Geoff Jones (37), Ian Carr (44) and Jeremy Fountain (51). John Goodwin (4-31) swept up the tailenders as Bartestree were dismissed for 194.

Builth Wells IIs posted 119 at Abergavenny Beavers, but still crashed to a heavy eight wicket defeat.

Despite two wickets for Paul Greenway (2-26) the Wyesiders were unable to prevent Marc Evans (83no) firing his side to glory.

Knighton were skittled for 42 at home to Woolhope with only Matt Davies (15no) managing a prolonged stint at the crease in a nightmare 19 overs.

Woolhope were celebrating a nine wicket win by the 13th over as Knigton’s search for their first win of the season continued.