AFTER marking their return to Marches League cricket with a comprehensive seven wicket win over Woolhope seconds, Talybont CC finished second best in losing to Wormelow by just five runs with five balls remaining.

On winning the toss, Skipper Dan Bowen elected to field with Huw Griffiths (one for 39 off 10) and Lewis Dexter (one for 38 off seven) opening the bowling.

The Wormelow openers started steadily before Colin Olivant marked his league debut by running O. Jones for two.

The guile of Martin Hurst (one for 16 off 10) and Carl lewis (two for 16 off ten), put the brakes on Wormelow’s run rate and although Olivant, Carl Lewis and Richard James took good catches, there were also a few spillages.

With wickets in hand, experienced skipper M. Merrick (38 not out) and O. King (40) took a liking to the unfortunate Lewis Mallon’s (0 for 39 off 3) bowling, finishing any short ball and taking Wormelow to 148 for six off their allotted 40 overs.

After a sumptuous tea, courtesy of Karen Gould, Nont openers Dan Bown (16) and Craig Samuel (14) got off to a steady start before both departed along with Olivant (4) and Richard James (2).

With work to do, all-rounder Martin Hurst (64) and Huw Griffiths (16) looked to be putting the Bont back on track with five an over needed before Griffiths was caught.

Carl Lewis (6), Lewis Deacon (0) and Lewis Mallon (5) soon followed, and with the tiring Martin Hurst getting stumped after an excellent knock containing five sixes and four fours, it was left to Colin Griffiths (1) and Steve Godsell (one not out) before Griffiths was bowled with just six runs needed.

Credit to Wormelow’s youthful side in bowling well with five catches and a stumping taken.

This leaves the Bont in sixth position with local rivals Hay setting the early pace in a league compromising of 12 teams and facing their first away match with a long trip to Collwall fourths.