ALTHOUGH Bartestree & Lugwardine suffered a 40-run defeat in their last match of the season against Hereford City, their haul of 10 points ensured a first crack at top flight cricket in the Flint & Cook Marches League next season.

The villagers, who were able to field only four first-team regulars on Saturday, secured runners-up spot in Division 2 behind Crickhowell.

The Welshmen confirmed top place by rattling up 338-9 to defeat Builth Wells by 121 runs.

Sanjay Hadapi (47), Jamie Williams (36) and Nick Osborne (26) all batted well for Hereford who posted 213-9 from their 45 overs.

Bartestree's prolific pairing of skipper Pete Hinkley (59) and David Robinson (36) continued their good form right to the end of the season but tidy bowling by Phil Chalkley (4-51) and Williams (3-56) settled the game in the city side's favour.

Leominster, Bartestree's closest rivals for runners-up position, survived a nail-biting finish at home to Marden before sneaking home by a single run.

The visitors required nine to win from the final over bowled by Russell Palmer but the all-rounder held his nerve to concede just seven and finish with 6-66.

Peter Gale (72) batted well for Marden while Dave Barrington (57) and Nick Palmer (57) both completed half-centuries for the home side.

Fine batting by teenager Seb Warwick (76 not out) and a good all-round performance from Nick Cooper (63 and 3-46) settled the Division 3 title shoot-out in favour of Ross.

Kington 3rd batted first and compiled a competitive 243-4 with Jim Lewis, who cracked five fours from the last over of the innings on his way to 91 not out, and Wayne Morgan (55) leading the way.

Cooper and Warwick then took charge for the home side with Graham Farmer adding a useful 45 as Ross cruised home by six wickets.

Goodrich retained third place in the Division 3 table despite a seven-wicket hammering at Wormelow 2nd.

With Tom Corcoran (80) going well, Goodrich were handily placed at 128-1 but the seam bowling of Nick James (3-39) and the guile of Richard Gummery (5-38) induced a collapse as the visitors finished on 187-9.

Opener John Prime, who hit 16 fours and a six in his unbeaten 90, and Mick Merrick (58) set the home side on the way to a comfortable win with a second-wicket stand of 158.

Bosbury clinched the Division 4 title by seeing off Ross 2nd by six wickets.

Jon Owen (3-21), Mark Wadley (3-38) and Alan Lancett (3-45) claimed three wickets apiece as Ross were dismissed for 144 and Luke Ledbury then took over, blasting 16 fours in his 75 to see the villagers home.

Runners-up Presteigne continued to press Bosbury all the way with centuries from James Bray (192) and A Kettle (109) central to their massive 298-run victory over Builth Wells 2nd.

The border club piled up a huge score of 399-3 before bowling out the visitors for 101.