CANON Frome swing bowler Chris Styles returned astonishing figures of 8-5 to set up a 10-wicket away win over high-flying Leominster, who were shot out for just 25 in the Flint & Cook Marches League Division 1.
Styles clean bowled six of his victims and also claimed an LBW decision in his remarkable 10-over spell, which included six maidens.
Leominster, who were previously unbeaten, failed to master Styles' swinging deliveries after Russell Palmer had won the toss and chose to bat first in scorching conditions.
Opener Kevin Howells top scored with nine and there were six ducks as Leominster's innings was demolished in 20.3 overs, with Frome skipper Andy Rogers taking 2-10 from 10.3 overs.
The in-form villagers' wasted little time in overhauling the Leominster total, securing victory from just 23 balls, with Rob Mence hammering a breezy unbeaten 18.
Kingsley Morris was the hero for visiting Burghill & Tillington who pipped struggling Crickhowell by three runs in a thrilling match on an uneven pitch.
The Herefordshire outfit were bowled out for 195 in 44 overs with Morris (57) and Mark Preece (35) leading the way, while Matt Snead (4-31) impressed for Crickhowell.
Morris was again in top form with the ball, taking 3-35 from 15 overs, while Crickhowell captain J Jefferies struck a vital 45.
But the drama unfolded in the last over, bowled by Preece, in which Crickhowell needed eight runs to win. The last-wicket pair scrambled four runs off the first five balls and then requiring four for victory off the last delivery, N Jefferies sent the ball flying to the deep mid-wicket boundary where Morris held on to a brilliant catch.
Former champions Talgarth remain top of the division following a four-wicket home triumph over Goodrich in a competitive match at the Mid Wales Hospital.
Veteran Mike Evans made a brave 31 and Rufus Davies, 21, but Goodrich were dismissed for 148 by Talgarth's former captain Glyn Harrhy (4-36) and spinner Neil Morris (2-13).
Man-of-the-match Harrhy (56) also shone with the bat and was backed up by wicketkeeper Danny Skyrme (28 not out) and Mike Haire (18 not out) as the Welshmen reached the target, despite the efforts of teenage seam bowlers James Clements (3-50) and Phil Evans (2-26).
A powerful batting display inspired Wormelow to an impressive five-wicket home win over Llandrindod Wells in a high-scoring match at Kennel Field.
Pitigala dominated the visitors' innings, hammering a boundary-laden 131 from only 88 balls in the Mid Wales club's challenging 241-6.
Veteran bowler Clive Price delivered an outstanding spell for Wormelow, conceding just 18 runs from 15 overs and taking two wickets.
Skipper Jamie Langford (59) and Shaun Waldron (57) laid the foundations of Wormelow's reply, posting an opening stand of 113.
Ian Herbert then weighed in with an unbeaten 69 from 79 deliveries to steer Wormelow to the target with two overs to spare.
Monmouth held their nerve to register a five-wicket home victory over neighbouring Ross with five balls to spare.
Alan Marfell (77) and opener Terry Morgan (47) were the mainstays of Ross' 190-7 at the Sports Ground.
Opener Rob Prewett (80) led the Welsh club's response and was supported by Chris Richards (39 not out) before Australian Charlie Bye blasted a breezy unbeaten 21 to take Monmouth to the target.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article