BOSBURY appear favourites to clinch the last-ever Hereford Times Hereford and District League Division 1 title after hammering visiting Lads Club by 128 runs in their penultimate match.

The second-placed villagers complete their league programme with a re-arranged trip to Presteigne on Saturday, knowing that a 22-point haul would pip Ewyas Harold to the crown.

Opener Merv Carless (31), Luke Ledbury (29), George Abbey (25) and Gary Fletcher (17) were the mainstays as Bosbury were bowled out for 178 in 44.3 overs. Hedley Lawson (4-33) and Bernard Halfpenny (3-40) were the pick of Lads Club's bowling attack.

In reply, Lads Club made a disastrous start when Steve Cardone was dismissed for a duck in the opening over and the visitors soon plummeted to 18-5.

Only opener J Price (30 not out) reached double figures before Lads Club were skittled out for just 50 by Jon Owen (4-7), Steve Davies (3-9) and Alan Lancett (2-20).

Table-topping Ewyas Harold rounded off their league campaign with an emphatic eight-wicket home win over Weobley.

Brian Pilliner (4-29) and Dave Hope (4-27) helped dismiss Weobley for 107 and then the experienced Phil Brookes (36 not out) and Ken Madders (21 not out) swept Harold to the target in the 22nd over.

A century from leading batsman Michael Graves helped Division 2 champions Herefordians to a crushing 165-run home win over Bartestree & Lugwardine 3rd in their final match.

Graves struck 115 and was backed up by Darren O'Hare (91) as unbeaten Herefordians posted an 283-7, while spinner P Liddell bagged 4-57.

The villagers were soon in trouble and slid to 118 all out as Herefordians secured their 13th win from 13 league matches.