LEDBURY's 100% start to the 2023 Worcestershire County League Division 8 continued last weekend as they cruised to a comfortable win over their local rivals Bromyard 3XI.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that proved to be decisive.

The visitors had started well and Bromyard openers put on 35 runs for the first wicket and were going well at 54/1 before their innings collapsed. 

Ledbury's Jack Trattell and Josh Evans ripped through the top of the order before the likes of Vicky Evans and Duncan Bell took care of the tailenders.

Josh Evans was the pick of the bowlers with incredible figures of 3-7 off nine overs. Trattell finished on 2-30 from nine, Bell was for 2-20 and Vicky Evans was 2-11 as Bromyard were skittled for just 97 runs. 

Ledbury made light work of the simple run chase. Josh Evans (20) and Chris Dandy (42) took them to within touching distance and despite losing their wickets, Tom Bowring and Nick Gibbons got the winning runs in the end.

The victory keeps Ledbury on top of Division 8, having won all of their games so far in the 2023 season. They have opened up a substantial 41-point lead on second-placed Brockhampton.

Ledbury will be hoping for more of the same this weekend when they again face Bromyard, this time away from home. 

As for the 2XI, it was not the same result as they were beaten by Harvington 2XI.

Visitors Ledbury won the toss and elected to bat but only opener Simon Ritchie (40) and a half-century from Rhys Gunter (54*) provided any sort of runs as they were bowled out for 177 in 38 overs. 

Harvington's Phillip Thomas scored 64 and fellow opener Dave Snell added 40 as the hosts chased down the target in 32 overs.