NEW season, new division but same old Ledbury batting frailties were again exposed as Ledbury crashed to a heavy seven-wicket defeat against Weobley.

Having been the only team in the Marches Division Two rain-effected the previous week, Ledbury did go into this match under prepared compared to their opponents but having been asked to bat first they made steady progress on a tricky wicket.

Ehrlich and Bettington added 22 for the first wicket before the former fell victim, while Kev Smith fell first ball.

Jim Brighton, batting fourth, looked in good form moving quickly to 43 and helping Ledbury to a well-placed 82-3 in 28 overs. At that point the talk in the dressing room was of 175 being a reasonable and very defendable score.

However, then came the pivotol moment of the match, Weobley turned to their third change bowler Davies, who opened up with a short loosener which Brighton looked to launch into the adjacent pub car park.

Unfortunately the shot came of the bottom edge and was well held by Dixon on the boundary during Saturday’s clash.

This was the catalyst for a flow of six more wickets for just nine runs.

No batsman could really say they were undone by good bowling, but all fell to disciplined deliveries trying to play aggressively.

A Jones returned 4-15 for steady medium-paced bowling, and K Hurds was probably the pick with 3-14 at a similar pace.

In reply, Ledbury needed quick wickets but the faster pace of their bowlers was less suited to the wicket and actually proved easier to play.

Large and Baxter both constantly beat the batsmen and did offer some hope with the quick removal of the opening batsman.

But the key wicket of Williams never looked like falling and he brought up a well-built 50 with the winning runs in the 19th over.

n Ledbury Seconds came back to earth with a bump after their previous week’s victory, going down to a comprehensive defeat at Bishops.

The hosts batted first, scoring 334-6. Ledbury scored 178-6.