THE lusty hitting of John Griffiths proved in vain as Knighton on Teme were beaten by seven wickets in their opening game of the season in the GB Liners Marches League.

Griffiths blasted a boundary-laden 38 to help Knighton recover from a difficult start but they could only muster 96 all out and Almeley, given improving conditions, cruised home.

The toss proved vital and Knighton, having lost it, saw Mark Evans depart to the fourth ball of the innings on a damp wicket.

They found themselves labouring on 17 for four off 17 overs but Griffiths added a touch of colour to the proceedings, blasting four sixes and three fours and Andy Hipkiss also weighed in with 15 (including a six and two fours).

Given ten overs before tea, Almeley reached 25 without loss, and although that became 50 for three, they eased to victory without any further loss of wickets.

Church Stretton skipper Peter Lee carried his bat for an unbeaten 61 at Willey in Division Two of the Shropshire County League, but his efforts proved in vain.

Stretton were in early trouble until Lee found some support from Adam Groom (27) and Thomas Crump (32 not out) and they finished on 157 for five off 40 overs.

In reply Crump (four for 40) and Groom shared three early wickets but Graham Ball (50) and Stuart Shepherd (42) revived the home team, with Stretton using seven bowlers in a bid to wrestle back the initiative. Willey got home on 158 for seven.

Bishop’s Castle were involved in a remarkable contest with Ellesmere. A total of 257 runs were scored, but only three players reached double figures!

One of them was Ellesmere opener Jonathan Mitchell who hit 107 of his side’s 145 all out in 34 overs. Simon Palmer (six for 24) removed Mitchell’s first six partners but Bishop’s Castle found the going just as tough and only Andrew Lewis (65) and Richard Fifield (19) contributed as they laboured to 112 for seven off 36 overs.

Third Division Corvedale beat Shifnal 3rds by ten wickets, Bryn Williams (four for 34) and Glyn Tipton (two for two) helping dismiss their opponents for 84, and Adam Williams (53 not out) and Paul Mantle (23 not out) knocking off the runs.

On Sunday, Tenbury gave youth their fling in a two-wicket win at Michaelchurch. Jamie Farrar and Matt Jones both bagged a couple of victims, and John Duce also claimed a wicket in Michaelchurch's 146 for six.

Jack Kitchen (59) and Robbie Farrar (24) then chipped in with the bat before Jones won it with a six, Tenbury scoring 148 for eight.