TWO Ledbury bowlers secured seven-wicket hauls as the firsts and seconds both enjoyed a winning weekend.

The first XI cemented their place at the top of Marches Cricket League Division Two with a nine-wicket, 20-point thrashing of Kington seconds helped by Jamie Turner’s 7-13 from 8.1 overs.

Steve Large matched the feat with 7-51 as Ledbury seconds beat Strollers by 61 runs in Division Three.

For the firsts, Kington chose to bat first and Dave Nash (2-17) claimed two early victims with his pace.

Mike Arlott also ensured runs were hard to come by before Neil Andrews dismissed Ben Williams (12).

But leg-spinner Turner tore Kington to pieces as he found the pitch to his liking with turn and bounce.

He took two wickets in one over and then followed up with a hat-trick through an lbw and two clean bowled. Turner gained two further victims, helped by a sharp stumping from Paul Allen.

Kington subsided to 67 all out before Ledbury openers Matt Ehrlich and Jamie Brighton started positively with the threat of rain.

Both hit boundaries regularly and, although Ehrlich fell for 30, Brighton (24 not out) achieved victory with one ball left in the 10th over.

Unbeaten Ledbury host second-placed Almeley tomorrow (2pm).

The seconds, back to full-strength, avenged an early-season loss to Strollers.

Captain Rich Orders won the toss and chose to bat on another good batting strip with Rob Yeoman and Paddy Merryman posting a 102-run opening partnership.

Yeoman unfurled several trademark cut shots, while Merryman showed a welcome return to form.

Merryman fell for 50 after 10 fours and Josh Evans (15) struck a six before being bowled. Yeoman reached 68 with 11 fours but chopped one on to his wicket.

A quick 24 from Jason Belcher and cameos from Rob Greening (13) and Chris Ritchie (16no) led Ledbury to 227-7 from 45 overs.

Ledbury reduced Strollers to 20-3 with Large removing two and Simon Ritchie (2-44) bowling another.

The visitors attacked well to reach 70 but Large provided a much-needed wicket and Belcher chipped in.

Simon Albright (29) and George Wood-Cole lifted Strollers to 150-6 but the game turned again when Large dismissed the former caught and bowled.

Although Wood-Cole (38no) shone, Large ripped out the rest to complete his seven-wicket haul from 11.2 overs and dismiss Strollers for 166.