LEDBURY seconds got their Marches Cricket League Division Three campaign off to a positive start as they defeated hosts Presteigne by 64 runs.

Veteran Steve Burgess used all of his experience to play a match-winning innings of 61 before Simon Ritchie starred with the ball, registering impressive figures of 5-14.

Ledbury batted first and it soon became apparent that scoring would be hard on a difficult wicket.

When openers Richard Orders and Brandon Caffull were dismissed for ducks the away side were in early trouble while Dan Gale (10) was trapped lbw.

But Burgess stayed strong before lower order contributions from Ritchie, Simon Watkins and Matt Hartness saw Ledbury close on 141-9.

The home team found batting just as difficult as Gale and Simon Watkins got two early wickets.

Ritchie then came on and destroyed the Presteigne middle order while Liam Kendrick bagged a brace and Caffull got one.

The visitors bowled the hosts out for 77 as they celebrated an opening-day win ahead tomorrow’s home clash against Moccas.

Ledbury’s first team, who were without a game last weekend, visit Canon Frome in an early season local derby in Division Two tomorrow.