Ross-on-Wye 1st XI travelled away to Luctonians and, with the fixture played on Sunday, knew that a win would significantly boost their title chances. Despite losing the toss, Ross still got the option they would have preferred and bowled first on a wicket that looked tailor made for batting on another glorious summer afternoon. 

Adam Davies and Josh Element started proceedings, yet despite bowling good line and length, the Luctonians opening pair of Evans and Jones got off to a strong start, scoring 53 and 44 respectively as they made the most of the true batting surface and the lightning quick outfield to find the boundary on a regular basis.

It needed something special for the Hedgehogs to get back into the match and Ben Element produced it with a direct hit for a fantastic run out. Soon after this, skipper Jack Donovan entered the fray and soon enough struck thanks to a good catch from Charlie Cole who took the first of his three catches at mid-off throughout the day.

Donovan quickly followed this up by winning an lbw verdict to remove his opposite number for a duck.

On his return to first team duty, Harry King made life difficult for the batsman and Ross began to apply the brakes to the scoring rate. Ben Element came into the attack and struck in his first over with keeper Jim Lewis taking a fantastic one handed diving catch down low to his right and the partnership was back in action again shortly after, as Element saw Lewis pouch a more regulation nick. Another fantastic running catch by Charlie Cole helped Element finish with figures of 5-44 and the hosts were indebted to Foreman, 32 not out, to get them past the 200 mark and post a final total of 210-8 from their 45 overs.

Ross began the chase with Angus McIntyre and Toby Hiram peppering the boundary and the opening stand raced past 50 before Hiram fell caught and bowled for 24. Man of the moment, Ben Element continued the assault by hitting over the top before perishing for a quick-fire 18.

McIntyre passed 50 as he continued to score freely with some fabulous stroke play all around the wicket but, as he moved serenely on, the middle order suddenly collapsed at the other end as Lucs picked up a further four wickets, leaving Ross still needing 70 to win with just four wickets in hand.

Skipper Donovan joined McIntyre and soon nerves started to settle as the pair scored quickly, before McIntyre’s chanceless innings came to an end as he was bowled five runs short of what would have been a very well deserved century.

Vice-captain Jim Lewis joined Donovan with 30 runs still needed but his solid defence and some powerful hitting from Donovan ensured there were no further alarms and the hedgehogs claimed a three wicket victory which sees the team move to the top of the Marches League, Division Two.