BISHOP’S Castle are still looking for a top-two finish in Division 2 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire County League after they made 206-8 against Willey at Barrow Park, and went on to win by 44 runs after bowling the home side out for 162.

With three games to play, Castle are 12 points behind second-placed Market Drayton, with leaders Ellesmere a further eight points ahead.

Edgar Whately starred with bat and ball, following up his top-score 64 with three wickets after tea.

Jonathan Price (39) and Simon Palmer (5-60) also performed well.

It was a good day for bottom side Church Stretton.

Peter Lee took 5-50 when they dismissed visiting Cae Glas for 187, and then Saif Khalid (53) and Lee (40no) saw Stretton home to a rare win with two balls and two wickets to spare.

Ludlow Thirds went down by five wickets at Condover 2nd in Division 5.

They made 207-3 off their 40 overs, but in a tight finish the home side sneaked home with one ball to spare.

Robin Hillman was unlucky to be on the losing side.

He finished just three short of a century after carrying his bat in the first innings, and then took 3-40 after tea.

Tallon Poole made a half century for Ludlow, but conceding 52 extras counted heavily against them.

Bishop’s Castle Seconds went down by 61 runs when Prees visited The Manor Ground in Division 6.

Richard Langford (4-38), Daniel Palmer (3-32) and Paul Moulder (2- 18) bowled the visitors out for 136 in 33.3 overs.

But Castle also struggled with the bat and had no answer to the superb bowling of Phil Richards (7- 31).

Castle could only muster 75 as Prees charged to victory.