Champions Luctonians sign off with four-wicket success against Goodrich

10:40am Friday 5th September 2008

CHAMPIONS Luctonians consolidated their position at the head of Division 1 of the GB Liners Marches League with a four-wicket win over Goodrich at Mortimer Park.

They lost six wickets before passing Goodrich’s total of 192.

Andrew Brown (57) top-scored for Goodrich with other useful contributions from Sam Griffiths (32), Alex Fuller (22), Phil Evans (23) and Eddie Pyatt (25 not out). James Platford (4-50) and Grant Giles (3-46) were the pick of the bowlers.

Duncan Platford (67 not out) batted steadily throughout the Luctonians reply, with Daniel Hern (51 off 41 balls) providing an injection of pace to see them through to the win in the 42nd over. Mark Evans took four wickets.

Bartestree & Lugwardine made it a doubly disappointing day for Goodrich when they recorded a comfortable eight-wicket home win over Crickhowell to pip the South Herefordshire side for the runners-up spot.

They bowled the Welsh side out for 166 and stormed to a win in 26 overs to complete their best ever season.

It could have been a lot more emphatic as well, the visitors were teetering on 36-6 when Tom Price strode to the wicket to score an undefeated 92 with 16 boundaries and one six. James Nixon (5-52) did the earlier damage.

Dave Robinson (55) was with opener Ben Simpkin (66 not out) for most of the Bartestree innings.

Garnons finished with a flourish, winning by 121 runs against luckless Ledbury who must be glad to see the curtain come down on a torrid season.

Jonny Andrews, Simon Withers and Andy Johnson all reached half centuries out of a total of 280-4. Ben Clifford top-scored with 35, to go with his two earlier wickets, as Ledbury were bowled out for 159.

Stuart Griffiths picked up three wickets.

Kington 3rd condemned Glangrwyney to a bottom two finish when they coasted to an eight-wicket win at Lady Hawkins’ School after bowling the Welsh side out for 116.

Kevin Gwynne led the way with 6-34 while Ben Bowker reached a half-century for the losers. Robert Stokes (59) and Jon Thorne (30 not out) led Kington home.

In Division 2, Woolhope’s crushing nine-wicket success against Talgarth helped them to clinch the second promotion spot.

But it was not all joy for the villagers, whose second string missed out on promotion in Division 4 despite having the better of their clash with Almeley who took second place by 0.35 of a point.

An unbeaten double-century from Paul Williams against Luctonians 2nd ensured that Weobley would join Shobdon in gaining promotion from Division 3.

In Division 2, for the first time in 32 seasons, a shortage of players forced Moccas to call off their scheduled fixture at Colwall 3rd.

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