LEDBURY Cricket Club's first XI finally got their first positive result of the season after a tough start due to rain and a few defeats.

They earned a 22-point winning draw against visitors Knighton-on-Teme who held on with 153-7 in reply to 220-7.

Home skipper Josh Evans lost the toss and Knighton chose to bowl.

Opener Dan Gale got Ledbury off to a good start with nine off the first over.

Paul Andrews (5) fell in the fourth over, leaving Gale and Tom Willis to repair the damage.

Gale kept up the tempo with a flurry of boundaries while Willis dug in.

After a partnership of 47 Gale departed for a stylish 53 off 54 balls which included eight fours.

Evans joined Willis (5) at the crease but Tom Genders (2-37) took wickets with consecutive balls to leave Ledbury on 72-4.

Nineteen-year-old Brandon Caffull and Evans looked to get a competitive score.

Evans looked solid until he tried to up the run-rate in the last 10 overs and was caught for 40.

Caffull bagged his maiden first XI half-century and finished on 67 not out from 76 balls, guiding Ledbury to a useful total from 45 overs.

A slight rain delay meant Knighton’s target was reduced to 196 from 40 overs.

The trusted swing bowling of Steve Large got Ledbury off to a flier as he picked up three early wickets to leave Knighton on 26-3.

Genders gave the visitors some hope with 68 but tight bowling in the middle overs from Steve Evans increased the pressure on them.

Caffull dismissed Genders and Knighton fell well short with Large the pick of the bowlers with 3-13 from eight overs. Caffull took 2-27 from seven overs.

Ledbury host local rivals Colwall thirds on Saturday (1pm).

The seconds will visit Ross-on-Wye in Division Three after suffering a thrashing last weekend.

Ledbury were skittled for 53 after hosts Goodrich seconds amassed 327-6 from 45 overs.

Harry Eales took 3-82 and Neil Andrews 2-57 for the visitors.

But Rufus Davies (75), Jon Pickering (58), David Tookey (43), Stuart Morgan (42) and Jack Waldis (42 not out) left them a daunting target.

Neil Price then took 5-17 and Waldis 4-14 as Ledbury were bowled out in 20 overs with Paul Barnes (27) the only one to make double figures.