LEDBURY’S difficult start to life in Marches Cricket League One continued with a heavy eight-wicket defeat at Brockhampton thirds.

After winning the toss, skipper Steve Evans elected to bat and, despite favourable conditions, Ledbury’s top order all failed to convert starts into meaningful scores.

Rich Orders (22), Paul Andrews (19) and Neil Andrews (16) all fell when looking well set.

At 106-5, bottom-of-the-table Ledbury were in trouble when a fine partnership of 70 runs between Maurice Embrey (54) and Evans (22) pulled them out of trouble.

Embrey showed a welcome return to form, scoring boundaries all around the wicket.

Evans offered sensible support by working the ball into the gaps for a steady flow of runs.

A late cameo from Jamie Turner (7 not out) helped Ledbury to what looked like a competitive 193-8 from their 45 overs.

But, in reply, Brockhampton made light of the target, despite an aggressive spell of fast bowling from Mike Arlott (0-54).

Openers Graham Parker (23) and Jack Patchett threw caution to the wind, looking for every opportunity to attack and hit boundaries.

Patchett, who had endured a tough time in the field, was the chief aggressor, mixing powerfully-timed drives with slices of good fortune in a contrasting innings.

When Evans (1-34) and Turner (1-26) struck in consecutive overs to remove Parker and Dominic Larkin (4), there looked a chink of hope for Ledbury at 80-2.

But Patchett went on to score 112 not out and William Pearson, with a breezy 44no, helped Brockhampton canter home on 194-2 with 18 overs to spare.

Ledbury look for their first win of the season tomorrow when they host second-from-bottom Woolhope (1pm).

Mid-table Canon Frome, who visit Brockhampton thirds tomorrow, lost by seven wickets at home to Abergavenny after being skittled for 100.

In Division Three, Bosbury were thrashed by 176 runs at Kington seconds when they were bowled out for 109 in reply to 285-4.

Eastnor thirds lost by 57 runs at Luctonians seconds despite Sam Beale taking 4-32. But the club’s fourth XI scored 248-5 in a winning draw at home to Strollers seconds in Division Four East.

Richard Williams scored 68 and Darren Woodhouse 51 before Stephen Emery took 4-28 in Strollers’ 115-9.