Leominster'S Palmer brothers put a dent in top-of-the-table Bartestree & Lugwardine's promotion bid with a 30-run victory in the Flint & Cook Marches League Division 2.

Russell Palmer cracked 17 fours and a six as he made his way to 105 not out while younger brother Nick hammered eight fours and three sixes in his 68 to lead the north Herefordshire side to an impressive 242-4 from their 45 overs.

Jason Jones (3-53) and Richard Marsh (2-62) made early inroads into the visitors' reply, although, with Steve Beach (47) and Matt Aubrey (54) batting well, a close finish still seemed on the cards.

But Russell Palmer (2-52) then rounded off a man-of-the match performance with a couple of wickets to ensure that Bartestree & Lugwardine ended 30 runs short.

As Monmouth were without a game, the Welsh club's second-string were able to draft in star batsman David Teague at Woolhope and the former Glamorgan 2nd Xl player did not disappoint, smashing 17 fours and five sixes in a brilliant unbeaten 139 as the villagers were seen off by 104 runs.

Wayne Aspley (58) lashed his third successive half-century as Knighton, with Greg Martin contributing a whirlwind 50, reached 186 against Builth Wells 2nd in Division 4.

Gary Morgan batted well in response to make 111 but only one other player, Ian Morgan (13), reached double figures as Builth finished nine runs short.

Leominster 2nd made high-flying Bosbury battle all the way before Dave Daffin (31 not out) eased the villagers to a two-wicket success.

Paul Shannon (48) helped to set up a useful score for Bartestree & Lugwardine 2nd against Ross 2nd but youngster Seb Warwick (54) batted well in reply as the town side won by five wickets.

Division 5 leaders Strollers maintained their perfect start to the season with a 97-run win over visiting Herefordians.

Richard Lerego (61) and Mark Powell (59) both batted well in a spectacular acceleration which brought the pacemakers 103 runs from the last 11 overs of their innings as they almost doubled their tally to 213-4.

Lads Club had to overcome injuries to bowlers Barry Oldman, Ashley Oliver and Chris Price to beat Almeley by five wickets.

Fortunately for the city side, left-arm seamer Bernard Halfpenny (5-31) stepped into the breach to dismiss the villagers for 136 and then notched an unbeaten 27 to help Steve Cardone (32 not out) guide Lads Club to victory.

Bishops Frome seem to have rediscovered their form in Division 6 after registering their second successive victory by beating Woolhope 2nd by 47 runs.

All-rounders Paul Bottomley (41 and 3-16) and Tim Cecil (29 and 4-17) starred for Frome while Coral Handley contributed 39 for Woolhope.

Ross Darmon (4-21), John Hall (3-27) and Rob Stokes (2-2) did the damage for Kington 4th as Bishop's School were bowled out for just 71.

Colin Boylett top-scored with 21 as the border club were given a hard battle before sneaking home by four wickets.

Bartestree & Lugwardine St Mary's spin twins Paul Liddell (4-15) and Ron Williams (3-4) reduced Shire Bulls from 99-3 to 118 all out in Division 7. Pete Hobbs (44 not out) then played a central part in the villagers' six-wicket victory.