Ross-on-Wye 1st XI maintained their position at the top of the Marches League Division Two table with a comprehensive eight wicket win over Almeley at The Park on Saturday afternoon.

In front of a crowd swelled by a good number of cricket followers attending the Country and Western Festival, Ross won the toss, elected to bowl and Chloe Tingle (1-10) was soon celebrating an early success as opener Priday’s leg glance was neatly caught by wicketkeeper Jim Lewis.

On his return to the team from illness, Masud Ahmed was working up some serious pace and he made the next breakthrough removing Williams for 15 aided by another catch behind by Lewis. Adam Davies (1-18) then dismissed the dangerous Cardwell lbw before Ahmed (2-23) won another lbw verdict to leave Almeley at 41-4.

Shortly after, Josh Element and Jack Donovan took over the attack and proceeded to take the final 6 wickets between them as only Matt Jones with a battling 24 showed the necessary determination to keep Ross at bay for any length of time. Donovan was proving almost unplayable and all four of his victims were clean bowled as he finished with 4-16 whilst Element took 2-22 as the visitors scraped their way to a final total of 91 all out.

Ross openers Ahmed and Stu Mair began the Ross reply and Ahmed immediately punished the visitors with a series of flashing drives. He struck a quick-fire 29 which included seven boundaries before both openers fell in quick succession to leave Ross at 38-2.

Toby Hiram and Charlie Cole then batted sensibly against the wayward opening bowlers before hitting out against the one spinner used by the visitors as Ross cantered to 95-2 inside 15 overs. Hiram finished on 25 and Cole 13 which helped Ross take 24 points from the game and maintain a six-point lead at the top of the table.

Both Ross sides are in action at The Park this coming weekend. The 1sts take on Eastnor whilst the 2nds play Bartestree over on Tennis Meadow with both teams looking to maintain their recent excellent run of form.