BISHOP’S Castle clambered out of Shropshire County League Division Two’s bottom two courtesy of their own victory and a rare success for derby rivals Church Stretton.

Castle claimed a four-wicket win over Shifnal III after Jack Perry (2-20), Thomas Moulder (3-23) and Richard Plant (4-21) saw off the visitors for 116 within 40 overs.

Paul Gough (33) and Michael Frost (38) were the only significant scorers for Shfinal on a day that saw each of Castle’s five bowlers claim at least one maiden.

The response got off to a tricky start as Plant headed back without score but Joe McKay (34), Richard Fifield (25) and Moulder (14) all settled in from there to deliver a winning total of 118 for six in spite of the best efforts of Dan Hill (2-12) and Lawrence Brammer (3-27).

That 20-point haul was made all-the-more significant by bottom-of-the-table Stretton’s 43-run triumph over Prees, the side that had started the day third bottom.

James Warburg (54) and Gabriel Williams (16) were among the runs in a total of 160 that was kept down by Pete Richards (3-22) and John Groom (3-24).

Stretton appeared to be in cruise control with Darren Kay (14) and Groom (14) the top scorers for Prees until final pairing Richard Weaver (20) and Chris Ruscoe (26*) finished with a flourish.

Williams (2-30) added the run-out of Weaver to his haul with the ball to see his side through.

In Division Three, Corvedale were crushed by 198 runs at Cae Glas. Chasing 281 for seven, Brian Williams (21), Glyn Tipton (24) and Mohammed Omar Faroque (16) battled in vain as their side was seen off for 83.