LEDBURY remain top of Marches Cricket League Division Two but cannot afford many more slip-ups after losing by four wickets at Almeley.

Aiming to keep their winning streak going in hot conditions, Ledbury claimed the toss and batted first.

Paddy Merryman and Neil Andrews posted a half-century opening partnership in 11 overs.

The latter fell for 22 and Paul Andrews followed for a duck but the previous week’s centurion Luke Ledbury picked up from where he left off.

Merryman (64) was finally out, holing out in the deep, but Jamie Turner (32), Mike Arlott (8 not out) and Maurice Embrey (18no) supported in the closing overs.

Ledbury brought up his deserved 100 before falling two balls later as the team closed on 271-6.

In reply, Karl Foskett swooped in the second over to leave mid-table Almeley on 6-1.

This became 37-2 when Foskett repeated the act and Steve Large then accounted for Alan Bissenden (20).

But Nick Evans and Andy Duggan sensibly built a partnership although the former had a reprieve on 20 when a chance went down. Evans and Duggan then peppered the short boundaries.

The score reached 153 when Embrey tempted Duggan (67) into a false shot and he was well held by Foskett.

Almeley sensed victory as the target became 40 off five overs although Evans was bowled by Ledbury for 105.

But the lower order rose to the challenge and 10 runs were required off the last over. Arlott could not hang on to a sensational catch and the ball carried for six before Almeley squeezed home on 272-6 with one delivery left.

Ledbury lost at home to Division One title-chasers Garnons in the Marches Cup the next day by 27 runs.

The visitors won the toss and batted first in perfect conditions, scoring 241-7 from 40 overs.

Foskett bowled well for 2-31 and young leg spinner Turner claimed 3-47.

In reply, Ledbury slumped to 1-3 before Paul Andrews and Turner (25) began to make it a contest.

The former gave Ledbury a glimmer of hope, supported by Arlott (14) and Embrey (10). Paul Andrews (129no) and Steve Evans added 71 runs in 10 overs but the hosts were all out in the final over for 214.