CLEOBURY Mortimer bolstered their promotion hopes with a crushing 162-run victory over neighbours Knighton-on-Teme.

And they had heroes with both bat and ball as they made a welcome return to winning ways following a draw and defeat in their last two games.

Skipper Ed Kemp won the toss, elected to bat and promptly launched into the Knighton bowlers.

Fellow opener Nick Griffiths went for 17 but Kemp was then joined at the crease by James Manley and the pair wasted no time in piling on the runs.

Kemp was finally caught and bowled by Richard Smith on 77 but Manley went on to score 101 before being caught by Callum Spires off the bowling of Dave Chance.

His innings included 11 fours and FOUR sixes.

Craig Shorter (69) and Michael Green’s unbeaten 29 kept the scoreboard ticking over and took Cleobury to a mammoth 308-5 from their 45 overs.

Kemp said: “James Manley is in the form of his life at the moment, everything he touches turns to gold.

"He’s been batting out of his skin.

“But there were also runs coming elsewhere which allowed us to post such a big score which is good for the bowlers because you can then set an attacking field.”

Of Knighton’s bowlers, Chance took 2-64 with Smith, Matt James and Dan Pullen taking the other wickets.

James also impressed with the bat for the visitors with the opener scoring a rapid 51 before he was caught by Nick Griffiths off the bowling of Sam Evans.

But others struggled for runs with the 18 extras the next highest total.

Four others made double figures – skipper Robbie James (14), Smith (13), Chance (13no) and Kitchen (12) – and Knighton were skittled out for 146in the 36th over.

Smith was by far the pick of the Cleobury bowlers finishing with an excellent 6-34 including the key wicket of Matt James.

Others played their part though with Manley taking 2-35 and Harry Booton and Kemp taking the others.

Cleobury will be hoping to keep the pressure up on leaders Ross-on-Wye this weekend when they head to lowly Eastnor and skipper Kemp is keen to build on their derby victory.

“We know that we have six games to go and if we win them all then we will be champions,” he said.

“We’re five points behind Ross and still have them to play.

“This is a massive weekend for us because Ross play Canon Frome who are third so one of them is going to slip up.

"We just need to make sure we don’t come unstuck at Eastnor.”

Knighton have the perfect opportunity to bounce back when they play host to rock bottom Presteigne knowing that a win could lift them well clear of the drop zone.