Builth Wells maintained their winning ways in the GB Liners Marches League first division with a seven wicket victory over Kington at Garth Road.

Kington were without a number of regulars but Builth captain, Dylan McPhee knows you can only beat what in front of you and The Bulls marched on with a fifth successive win.

Again Builth were excellent in the field, taking three sharp chances in the slips, two from McPhee himself and one from Tim Richards. From the moment Tumelo Yeki bowled Henry Powell in his second over Builth were always in control. Fellow opener, James Waring (47) rode his luck and Billy Lewis (13) and David Moss (16) were the only other Kington men to reach double figures as the Builth bowlers held the upper hand. Yeki finished with 3-23 while Harri Phillips, in his first start for the first team this season, picked up 4-9 in five overs. Sujeewa Senarathne (2-23) and Paul Greenway (1-27) were the other wicket takers as Kington succumbed for just 95.

Openers, Senarathne and Richard Galton set Builth on their way with a first wicket partnership of 83 before Galton was caught and bowled by John Cromar for 25. Senarathne hit a superb 51 but fell with Builth just five runs short and Tim Richards was also out without scoring to Gary Irwin (2-10) before Aled Powell and Yeki saw Builth home with ease.     

Builth, who remain in second spot, eight points behind leaders, Goodrich, reach the halfway point of their season on Saturday when they travel to Dales (Leominster) who are yet to win a game this time.  

Hay look as if they will be joining Builth in Division One next season as they made it six wins from six in Division Two with a 312 run win at home against Knighton-on-Teme.

Gareth Grant took the plaudits as he set a Hay club record with a magnificent 222 not out in a huge total of 391 for 3. Grant, who blasted 26 fours and 10 sixes, shared in a 183 run first wicket partnership with Luke Bowen (98) who fell two short of a much deserved century. Daniel Bowen chipped in with 40 in a third wicket partnership of 153 with Grant to give Hay a total which was way out of Knighton’s reach. In reply, the visitors slumped to 79 all outwith Huw Griffiths (3-14), Tim Davies (3-24), Guy Williams (2-14) and Mark Burgess (1-22) sharing the wickets.

Builth Wells 2nds found themselves without a fixture with scheduled opponents, Herefordians having withdrawn from the league while Presteigne’s poor start to the season continued as they lost by 120 runs at Canon Frome 2nds who posted 202 for 6.  

Presteigne have struggled for runs all season and in reply were bowled out for 82 in 18 overs with Will Bartholomew (26) the only batter to show any resistance with their total boosted by 37 extras.