LEDBURY’S Marches Cricket League Division Two promotion hopes will go down to the wire after a low-scoring 28-run victory over rivals Colwall thirds.

They head to second-frombottom Woolhope tomorrow (2pm) needing a win for any chance of breaking into the top two.

Asked to bat first after overnight rain, Ledbury were in trouble on 9-3 after a fiery opening spell from Henry Coleman (3-21). Jamie Brighton and Luke Ledbury (18) batted watchfully but the latter’s innings was undone by spinner Charles Rambridge.

Skipper Steve Evans pushed himself up the order successfully but Brighton fell for a composed 32 to leave Ledbury on 60-5.

It soon became 69-8 although Evans (18) dug in with Mike Arlott (15 not out).

Paul Allen (5) and Arlott’s scampered singles then took the score to 103 all out. N Green took 2-12 and M Edries 3-25.

In reply, Ledbury needed early breakthroughs through Neil Andrews and Evans.

Aaron Lawrence hit 13 before Andrews broke through to leave Colwall on 18-1.

Colwall slid to 25-4 with Andrews (5-27) accounting for all the wickets, supported by two fine catches from Jamie Turner.

Although Arlott’s first two overs went for 18, he found his line and length to pick up two wickets and Andrews added another to leave Colwall reeling at 55-7.

When Arlott (3-30) collected his third victim thanks to Ledbury’s catch, Colwall were on the brink at 70-9.

The innings was wrapped up for 75 through a smart piece of fielding from Josh Evans. Ledbury’s players meet tomorrow at 12.45pm.

The seconds lost by 35 runs at their title-chasing Kington counterparts in Division Three.

Kington started steadily but C Lewis, backed up by Ben Smith (30), took Kington past the 200 mark.

Lewis (86) holed out off Jason Belcher (3-46) to Karl Foskett and Si Ritchie (4-44) claimed late wickets to keep the hosts to 245-9.

In reply, openers Rob Yeoman (26) and Stu Evans looked untroubled in reaching 44 before the latter fell for 16. But Ledbury were in trouble at 68-5 until Steve Burgess and Rich Davis added 68 runs.

When Burgess was out for 14, Davis and Belcher continued the good work.

Ledbury needed 46 runs from the last seven overs to win but Davis departed for 56. Although Belcher (42no) could hit the boundary, Ledbury were all out for 210.