Glangrwyney CC First XI went to the top of Marches League two with a win over Marden at Cwrt-y-Gollen in a match dominated by bowlers.

Captain Mike Devoy won the toss and inserted Marden. Devoy and Huw Griffiths opened the bowling and there was little sign of the carnage to follow as Marden reached 20-1.

This quickly became 23-5 as Devoy took 4-12 and Griffiths ended with 1-18. They gave way to Luke Bowen and debutant Carl Lewis who took 2-8 and 1-5 respectively. The Marden innings ended on 48 all out in 24 overs, but Glangrwyney were mistaken if they thought an easy win was on the cards.

Marden opening bowlers Lawrence and Williams reduced the home team to 9-4 with Ellis Barnett-Smith, Luke and Dan Bowen and Nick Jones all back in the pavilion.

Lewis Morgan and Devoy steadied the ship taking the score to 22 when Devoy was out for 10. Carl Lewis and Morgan used their experience to put together a stand of 25 but with Glangrwyney on the brink of victory they were both out for 11 and 18 respectively. Gethin Price came in and scored the further run needed off the first ball he faced.

Thanks go to Welsh Farmhouse Apple Juice of Crickhowell for helping to stage the game, with Marden most complimentary of the cricket tea provided and the excellent spirit in which the game was played.

A poor batting display away to Burghill and Tillington at Weobley, resulted in a 25 run defeat for Glangrwyney Seconds.

Burghill were put into bat and opening bowlers Hadyn Davies (1-17 off 5) and Jack Hooper (2-23 off 8) soon had Burghill in trouble, although teenager O. Maund (25 n.o.) stood firm as wickets fell around him.

Davies bowled opener R. Pritchard and Hooper had J. Andrews caught by Colin Griffiths.

Late change bowler Eryl Cooke (4-25 off 10) bowled the all important wicket of veteran Nick Osbourne for six. The Burghill skipper was caught behind by John Parkinson with 15-year-old Liam Wiltshire holding on to a very good catch at mid-on to get rid of M. Radbourne.

Fellow first change bowler Colin Griffiths (2-14 off nine) and Jim Astle (1-7 off 3) bowled well in his first bowl for Glan, and Burghill were held to just 88 all out on the 35th over.

Glan openers Jim Astle (10) and John Parkinson put on 11 before both were bowled by the experienced de Souza (4-12 off 8).

Debutant Nick Games (11) and John Hooper (7) settled taking the score to 24 before Games was

unfortunately bowled.

With the score at 56 for seven the experienced Jonty Jones (15) did his best to see Glan home but again the tail failed to wag with Cook, Jack Hooper and Griffiths all going cheaply with 13 of the allocated 40 overs still to bat.

All credit must go to Burghill, who bowled well aided by four catches.