Builth Wells edged ever closer to the GB Liners Marches League first division title with a narrow two-wicket victory at Garnons, writes Paul Worts.

Captain, Dylan McPhee rescued The Bulls with 76 not out as they chased down 198 to maintain their healthy lead at the top of the table.

Opener, Craig Lawrence (47) led the way for Garnons with Kris Jones (38) and Thomas Ross also making runs with Mc{hee (3-50), Hari Phillips (3-28) Martin Hurst (2-13) and Sujeewa Senarathen (1-29) the Builth wicket takers. For once, Tumelo Yeki did not take a wicket but he bowled his nine overs for just 22 runs.

In reply Builth slumped to 27 for 4 with Sujeewa Senarathne, Aled Powell Richard Galton and Ezra Tattershll all back in the pavilion. Tim Richards made 40 but when he was dismissed Builth were tottering on 93 for 6. But old heads McPhee and Martin Hurst (22) shared in a stand of 85 for the eighth wicket and when Hurst fell, it was left to the Builth captain to see his team home.

Builth now have three games remaining at home against Luctonians and Dales and away at Kington.

Builth Wells 2nds are also on a roll and made it four wins in a row in Division Two as they defeated Presteigne by seven wickets at Garth Road. Presteigne batted first and were in disarray at 6 for 3 as Dai Davies (2-19) and Eurig Towns (2-28) took three early wickets. Billy Davies (68) and Jockey Williams (36) rectified the situation before Wilson was caught and bowled by Arthur Davies (1-38). James Chilman (17), Alan Stocker (21) and Charlie Sankey (41) chipped in to give Presteigne a reasonable total of 203 for 9 despite the best efforts of Kevin Hall (3-43).

Builth lost in-form opener, Paul Rowe (16) to Morgan Speed but Mark Stafford-Tolley (53) and Ian Morgan (58) then shared in a match-wining partnership leaving Dai Davies (40 not out), who completed a good afternoon’s work, and captain, Jonny Curzon (9 not out) to finish the job with more than eight overs to spare.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Hay fell to their first defeat of the season as they were all out for 172 and beaten by seven wickets at Almeley. Gareth Grant (41) topscored and there were useful contributions from Luke Bowen (27), Gabriel More (29) and Huw Griffiths (20). Nick Evans, Andy Duggan, Oliver Hughes and Pete Pearce all took two wickets for Almeley.

There were early wickets for Mark Burgess (2-49) and Griffiths (1-21)  when Almeley batted but that was as good as it got for Hay as Pryse Whittal (78 not out) and Nick Evans (67 not out) guided Almeley to the win that moves them top of the table although Hay do have a game in hand.