REIGNING champions St Martin's maintained their impressive form with a 71-run win over Weobley at Widemarsh Common in Division 1 of the Hereford Times Hereford and District League.

St Martin's were forced to work hard for their victory, however, after incisive bowling from Lee Davies (5-47) and P Williams (3-36) dismissed the home side for 143.

St Martin's were indebted to a cavalier unbeaten 32 from last-man Tony Pugh who lifted the home team's total to respectability on a benign surface.

The visitors slumped to 43-9 against Julian Morris (6-20) before 14-year-old Sam Bradley, coming in at number 11, struck an entertaining 32 and made St Martin's sweat for their triumph.

A battling all-round display earned Strollers an exciting one-run win in a nail-biting match with visiting Lads Club.

Strollers slipped to 32-5 before Rob Powell hit a vital 43 not out, including a six off the last ball, Keith Bushell made 29 and Foster Erwin, 24, which lifted the home club to a challenging 179-9.

Lads Club appeared to be cruising to victory when they romped to 70-0 inside 13 overs.

However, once Tim Price (58) was removed, Strollers gained the upper hand and eventually sealed a memorable victory in a nerve-jangling finale with 4.3 overs remaining.

Meanwhile, Herefordians chalked up their fourth consecutive win in Division 2 after a comprehensive 132-run home success over Kington 4th. Opener Rob Wilcox (63) and newcomer Graham Balch (52) were instrumental in taking Herefordians to 217 and then Mike Graves (3-8) and Ceri Griffiths (3-16) helped bowl out the visitors for 85.

Scott Moore hit 67 for Shire Bulls who still tumbled to a 234-run defeat against Eastnor 3rd.