WITH opener Julian Barnes (52) going well, Bishops Frome looked to be heading for their first win of the season in Division Six of the Flint and Cook Marches League when they reached 87-0 chasing a target of 181 against Kington 4th.

After he was out the 10-man villagers struggled against John Hall (5-30), until the last wicket pair of Jeff Barnes (27) and Stuart Knights (16 no) tied the score before Barnes became Hall's final victim. They almost made it a double on Sunday, finishing just three runs behind Bishops School's first innings total of 231-4 with eight wickets down.

There was another tense finish in the Division Seven fixture at Bartestree where Bartestree & Lugwardine St Mary's appeared to be heading for a win when they reduced Minster Dales to 91-9, chasing a target of 139. The experienced Geoff Morris (37) and A Strangwood (23) had other ideas and led Minster to a one-wicket win.

In Division Two, Pete Hinkley just missed out on another ton, finishing undefeated on 98 as leaders Bartestree & Lugwardine reached their target of 248 for the loss of three wickets at Shobdon. He shared a big partnership with Matt Aubrey (87 no).

G Bowers with 63 and Nick Francis (4-25) were the major contributors when Crickhowell recorded an easy 142-run win at Monmouth 2nd.

Rupert Lawrence (5-56) and Craig Pratten (3-22) bowled visiting Woolhope out for 89 and Mike Williams scored 54 as Marden eased to a five-wicket win.

In Division Three, Richard Prime (84 no) carried his bat as Wormelow 2nd posted a total of 205-4, but was eclipsed by Richard Williams (102 no) as Colwall 3rd coasted to a seven-wicket win at Kennel Field.

Graham Farmer (102) and Alan Marfell (87) shared an opening partnership of 205 to sweep Ross to a 10-wicket win at Garnons 2nd. A Bevan and Steve Tucker shared seven wickets for Ross.

Rob Yeomans led the way with 72 as Ledbury beat bottom side Moccas by 90 runs at home. Ledbury totalled 177-8 in-spite of Bill Bowen taking 4-44, and then P Pritchard took 5-15 to dismiss Moccas for 87.

Neil Andrews scored 101 for Canon Frome 2nd in Division Four as they beat home team Knighton by 132 runs. Bosbury's home game with Llandrindod Wells 2nd was all over before 3pm after the visitors were rolled over for 31. Bosbury won by 10 wickets.

In Division Five, Chris Price hit an undefeated half-century for Lads Club who beat Hereford 2nd by six wickets at the Racecourse. Barry Oldman took 4-13 as the home team was dismissed for 96, Phil Knight accounting for over half the runs.