IMPROVING Ledbury secured a fifth Marches Cricket League Division One win of the season with a seven-run triumph at Woolhope.

In another thrilling local derby, a stunning one-handed boundary catch from Paddy Merryman proved ultimately to be the difference in a match that constantly ebbed and flowed.

Ledbury lost the toss and were asked to bat on a pitch which looked like it would offer assistance to the seamers.

But in-form openers Josh Evans (67) and Merryman (61) made a mockery of the decision, sharing a second century opening partnership in three matches.

Merryman, strong down the ground, was the early aggressor, while Evans was happy to accumulate all round the ground.

Despite James Brighton (5) falling soon after Merryman was dismissed, Paul Andrews (29) joined Evans at the wicket.

At 172-2 with 10 overs remaining, Ledbury looked set for a score that would take the game away from Woolhope.

But Richard Watts (6-43) showed the virtue of bowling straight and exploiting the occasional low bounce, inducing errors from Ledbury’s batsmen, who collapsed to 196 all out.

Only skipper Steve Evans of the lower order reached double figures with 12 not out.

In reply, Woolhope captain Andrew Tanner (22) began at a canter but his dismissal signalled an early collapse as the hosts were in trouble at 32-4.

Neil Andrews (3-26) was the chief tormentor with two of the early wickets to fall.

Woolhope worked their way back anchored by Darren O’Hare (64), who found good support from Shaun Weaver (30) and brother Chris O’Hare (31) with the latter smashing boundaries against the inconsistent support bowlers.

But Chris O’Hare went for one big hit too many and was held by Brighton at long-on.

Steve Evans’ inspired decision to turn to the occasional spin of Luke Ledbury (3-37) was rewarded with two quick wickets.

Woolhope needed 20 to win with one wicket remaining.

Darren O’Hare negotiated the runs required to eight and then launched a Ledbury delivery towards the long-off boundary, only for Merryman to leap and hang onto a spectacular catch.

The result left both teams in a real relegation dogfight with anyone from fifth-placed Abergavenny and below in danger of the drop.

Ledbury seconds’ continued to struggle with a nine-wicket defeat at Eastnor thirds in Division Three after being skittled for 88.

Dave Peacock (15) was the top batsman with 27 extras outscoring him.