MONMOUTH and Talgarth both topped 300 batting first to win games grossing over 500 runs in Division 1 of the Flint and Cook Marches League.

Captain Dan Head led from the front with an innings of 78 as leaders Monmouth scored 301-8 at local rivals Goodrich. His bowlers then restricted the home side to 202-9 to record a 99-run victory. Head arrived at the wicket with his side in a healthy position in the 37th over and blitzed the bowling with 12 fours and four sixes in an innings that lasted just 43 balls.

Earlier the innings had stuttered to 46-3 but had been put back on course by the dependable Bob Prewett (72) and Charlie Bye (50). Jonathan Jones (23) and Gareth Hughes (24) also contributed whilst Mark Bradford (3-90) and Rufus Davies (2-78) were the pick of the bowlers.

Once Goodrich lost danger-man Andy Brown cheaply to Jonathan Roberts (3-16) they were never in the hunt. Sam Griffiths (78 not out) batted patiently throughout the whole innings to ensure the home side made a respectable score. He received good support from K Beddard (30), whilst Aled Jones (3-47) was effective with his spinners for the winners.

New Zealander Hayden Whiting was in scintillating form for Talgarth, scoring an undefeated 189 out of a total of 314-2. Home team Burghill & Tillington responded with a creditable 237-6 but still went down by 77 runs.

Whiting came to the crease at 13-1 and shared a partnership of 192 with Des Parry (63) for the second wicket. He went on to blast 16 sixes and 14 fours and received late support from Glyn Harrhy (29 not out).

Mark Preece (41) and Kingsley Morris put on 81 for the first wicket after tea. Nick Phelps (41) added useful runs before being bowled by fellow Kiwi Whiting (3-23), who also accounted for Morris, just three runs short of his century.

After an early setback, Wormelow made light work of chasing a target of 207 at Canon Frome, coasting home with 6.4 overs and six wickets to spare. Canon Frome scored 206-6 in their 45 overs.

Opener Shaun Waldron (82) led the way after Jamie Langford had gone to the first ball of the innings. He featured in stands of 58 for the second wicket with Ian Herbert (22), and then 132 for the fourth with Matt Shaw to put his side within sight of victory.

Shaw was undefeated on 75 when victory arrived in the 39th over at 207-4. Andy Rogers and Chris Styles each took two wickets.

Earlier Styles (41) and Rogers (47) had given the Canon Frome innings a sound start. Robin Mence (19), Marcus Wrinch (24) and undefeated contributions from Andy Duddell (21) and Seth Marshall (18) accounted for the majority of the home team total. Clive Price, Ian Herbert and Andy Weston each took two wickets for the winners.

Visiting Garnons romped to a 10-wicket win after bowling bottom side Llandrindod Wells out for 108.

A Wright (32) was the only Llandrindod batsman to offer any real resistance against the Garnons attack of Stuart Griffiths (4-24), Andy Brace (3-24) and Jim Cotterell (2-13 in 11 overs). 25 extras boosted the total past three figures as the home team was dismissed in the 39th over.

Jon Andrews (53) and Alan Jones (32) knocked the runs off in just 15 overs for an early finish.

Wellington bowled the home team out for just 69 after scoring 194-8, to record a comfortable 125-run win at Glangrwyney.

Adam Chalkley (64 not out) and Prashant Jangam (43) were the main contributors to the Wellington total with Phil Bowker (3-64) the pick of the bowlers for the home team.

Tom Grubb (32) offered spirited resistance in the home team's reply but his colleagues had little answer to the bowling of Jamie Williams (5-27) and they were bowled out in the 32nd over.