BISHOP’S Castle boosted their Shropshire County League Division Two survival hopes with a six-wicket success over Shrewsbury III – but derby rivals Church Stretton continue to plummet.

Castle crashed through Shrewsbury’s order at the Unison Ground with Stephen Pym top scoring for the hosts with a meagre 12.

George Rayment (3-26), Richard Powell (2-3), Richard Plant (2-6) and Thomas Moulder (2-10) were in merciless mood as the second-bottom visitors went for the throat.

Having done the job with the ball inside 29 overs, Jonathan Price supplied a steady 23 from 31 deliveries having found the boundary no fewer than five times.

Andrew Lewis (18) helped to chip away at the target with Moulder’s 13 enough to seal victory after just 17 overs at the crease for Castle.

They finished on 80 for four to move within 15 points of third-bottom Prees with seven matches to go. Next up is Saturday’s home clash with Shifnal III at the Manor Ground (1pm).

There was little hope for Stretton, though, particularly after the top four went for seven runs between them against Wellington III.

Gabriel Williams (27) steadied the ship with Edward Groom’s unbeaten 14 at the end at least nudging their total to 78 all out. Dan Pitchford (2-3) and Ryan Fernando (3-13) did the damage.

The response was predictably swift with Richard Benting (26) and Steve Pitchford (40*) guiding Wellington to 82 for three despite Tomas Quraishi (2-15) attempting to arrest the slide with the ball.

On Saturday, Stretton head to Prees (1pm).

In Division Three, Corvedale’s clash with Iscoyd & Fenns Bank was abandoned due to rain.