OPENER Nick Griffiths found his form as Cleobury Mortimer returned to winning ways by seeing off Division Three basement boys Alveley in the Worcestershire League.

Griffiths scored 90 before playing on, his best league score for five years, and his contribution was the cornerstone of Cleobury overhauling Alveley’s 165 all out on 171-3 in just 25.1 overs to record their first win in eight attempts.

Sam Evans (12), Ed Kemp (22) and Craig Shorter (37 not out) all chipped in, with seamer Ed Lewis the pick of the Cleobury bowlers with 3-44.

Cleobury won their opening three matches of the season but had lost seven on the spin before last weekend.

Former skipper Ben Griffiths, who was eight not out, said: “We are a better side than our recent results suggest.

"Our batting has probably let us down but hopefully we can pick things up again now.

"We have bowled quite well and we are certainly capable if we bat to our full potential as well.”

Corvedale were party to a thrilling Shropshire County League Division Three contest at home to Wheaton Aston, with the scores finishing level in a dramatic draw. After dismissing their visitors for 131, Corvedale levelled on 131-6 off the final ball of the match.

The wickets were shared around in the Wheaton Aston innings, with five of the six bowlers used picking up a couple of victims apiece.

Opening bowler Russell Wilcox was the only one to miss out but he made full amends by topscoring with 52 not out in the Corvedale reply, hitting two off the last ball of the match to tie things up.

Church Stretton were on the receiving end of a run bonanza in their Division Two clash at home to Ellesmere.

The visitors rattled up a magnificent 338-7 off 45 overs, with opener Jonathan Mitchell slamming 111 and Graeme Cowey 73.

Tom Quraishi came out of the pounding with some credit with 3-31 off five overs and then Daniel Watts hit 49 and Ben Crump 38 as Stretton replied with 188-7.

Bishop’s Castle also came up short in failing to match Montgomery’s 189-6, Simon Palmer’s (3-14) early penetration tempered by a decent recover.

Openers Richard Plant (29) and Andrew Lewis (34) gave Bishops a solid start in reply but they then fell away to 153-8.

Bishop’s Castle 2nd went down by three wickets to Montgomery 2nd while Cleobury Mortimer 2nd were put to the sword by Barnards Green 4th.

Green amassed a huge 404-4 off 45 overs - Robert Lewis plundering 111 not out and Robbie Wilson 108 - and then shot out Cleobury for just 83 in 21 overs.