Church Stretton 128 Wellington 3rd 114

CHURCH Stretton gained a confidenceboosting win when they beat mid-table opponents in a tight finish to a lowscoring home game.

The win closed the gap at the bottom of Division 2 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire County League.

Saif Khalid (64) and Martin Nichols (22) gave Stretton a good start after they lost the toss and were invited to take first knock. Once these two were parted, however, the batting crumbled against the bowling of Owais Abdul (4- 26) and Azaad Rafiq (3-9).

Stretton were bowled out for 128 in 38 overs, leaving the visitors 42 overs to reach their target and another defeat looked likely for the hosts.

Stretton took early wickets, but when Steve Pitchford (21) and Harry Tucker (34) were together their prospects still looked bleak. Peter Lee (5-39) and 13-year-old Thomas Crump (3-6), with his best spell for the club, backed up by the reliable Nichols (2- 24) had other ideas and Wellington fell 15 runs short of their target.

Bishop’s Castle are still in the championship race after gaining a comfortable seven-wicket win against Cae Glas at Gatacre.

They restricted the home side to 183- 5 and then cruised to victory in 27.3 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

Simon Palmer produced a miserly bowling spell of 3-33 off 18 overs, but Barry Richards (79no) kept the runs flowing to ensure Cae Glas had a total to defend.

Andrew Lewis (17) and Edgar Whately (27) laid the foundations for Jon Price (83) and Richard Plant (40no) to see the visitors home in style.

Justin Wheatley produced a deadly spell of bowling to steer Ludlow 3rd to a 74-run home win over Hales in Division 5.

Replying to Ludlow’s 199-5 declared, Hales were looking to be heading for victory when their openers Phil Harrington (37) and Gavin Brookes (46) were at the wicket.

Daniel Hillman (2-35) removed them, clearing the way for Wheatley (5-4 off six overs) to wrap up the win.

Dave Proctor (28), Ian Havard (48), Tom Prince (31), Hillman (24) and David Hughes (29no) all contributed in a steady batting display.

Bishop’s Castle 2nd had to settle for a winning draw in their Division 6 match with Cae Glas 2nd at The Manor Ground.

Dan Haubenschmid (74), Rhys Davies (30) and Richard Whately (59no) helped them reach 209-5 before tea.

Jack Purkis took a couple of wickets, but his colleagues struggled against a Cae Glas side who were content to bat out time at 154-4.

Ross Mantle scored a whirlwind halfcentury in just three overs to help Corvedale 2nd reach 154 batting first at Millichope Park.

Brian Williams (5-11 off 11 overs) helped them to a narrow 14run win in Division 7, as Alberbury 3rd were bowled out for 140.