A GOOD three-wicket win for Eastnor, in a low scoring Marches division five match at Almeley.

ALMELEY v EASTNOR III

The home side were put in to bat and Clayton (25) and Duggan (11) gave them a good start of 39 runs before Tipton bowled Duggan in the 11th over. John Taylor quickly picked up the wicket of Lapham at 47 and with Nick Haggar, both bowled very tightly to give away just 35 runs in the next 22 overs.

Aided by two good stumpings by Adam Mactear and two brilliant boundary catches by Tom Watkins Taylor finished his spell with 5-14.

Haggar carried on to bowl well with little success after Matt Panter had plucked a catch from nowhere off his first over and at 79-7 everything looked good. However McGowan (28) had other ideas taking the home side on to 129 before being well-caught by Ralph Tyler.

The villagers started poorly, losing Tyler with just nine runs on the board. Matt Panter (14) and Emlyn Vicarage (16) took the score on to 37 before Panter fell, Vicarage following at 51 in the 17th over.

Adam Mactear continued his good form with 45 (nine fours), to take Eastnor closer to their total, finally falling to Roberts at 99-5. Skipper Taylor and Bob Panter pushed on to 118 when Taylor was caught, leaving Tipton to smash two boundaries to win the game.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Eastnor Thirds face leaders Ewyas Harold and then entertain Garnons in the Marches Cup on Sunday.