Leominster batsmen Dale Withers and Kevin Howells struck maiden league centuries as the north Herefordshire club rattled up a club record 340-3 in their crushing 139-run win over struggling Ross in the Flint & Cook Marches League Division 1.

The home pair flayed the shell-shocked Ross attack for a mammoth 238-run second-wicket partnership on a blisteringly hot afternoon at Bridge Street.

The Leominster duo came together following the dismissal of prolific opening batsman Dave Barrington for just six and actually retired together owing to exhaustion some 36 overs later, having notched up hundreds on a superb batting track.

All-rounder Withers hammered 16 fours in an outstanding 106, while opening batsman Howells collected 13 fours in his fine 103.

However, the pair's departure did not bring an end to the fireworks because home captain Russell Palmer blazed 10 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 65 from just 35 balls.

The Leominster skipper was supported by his brother, Nick, who hit three fours and a six in an undefeated 30, and the pair hammered an unbroken 106-run stand in the closing overs.

The only wicket-taking bowler for nine-man Ross was Ben Warwick with 1-32 from six overs.

Veteran opener Graham Farmer (42) gave relegation-threatened Ross a promising start, but the visitors were never likely to threaten Leominster's huge total.

The experienced Alan Marfell scored 22 before a late onslaught from the hard-hitting Chris Gage (45) and Terry Morgan (39 not out) took Ross to a creditable 201 all out in 39.4 overs.

Leominster skipper Palmer used a number of bowlers, the most successful being Chris Chadd (2-51) and David Bywater (2-66).