Pontesbury 169-6 Bishop’s Castle 134-9.

BISHOP’S Castle failed in their run chase against Pontesbury in Division 2 of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire County League at the Manor Ground.

Castle’s medium-pacer Simon Palmer put in an economical spell of bowling with 2-31 off 17 overs and Adam Williams chipped in with 2-61 off 14 when Pontesbury batted first to finish on 169-5 off their 45 overs.

In reply Andrew Lewis scored 54 but, of the other batsmen, only Edgar Whately with 24 was able to make a significant contribution against some tight bowling backed up by excellent slip catching.

Castle were left hanging on at the end on 134 for 9.

q Bishop’s Castle 2nd were more successful chasing an identical score the following day against Calverhall at the same venue.

Richard Sheppard took 5-43 including the scalp of Oakley for 82 in the visitors’ total of 169 all out.

Number three Dan Haubenschmid scored 47 for Castle and, aided and abetted by the same number of extras, including 20 wides, they got home with two wickets to spare.

q A good fourth-wicket partnership between Chris Smith (55) and Martin Nichols (24) steadied the ship for Church Stretton in their Division 2 game at Cae Glas and guided them to a total of 127.

Cae Glas never really got to grips with the target in the face of some good bowling from Eddie Smith and Andy Dixon until a stubborn seventh-wicket stand of 56 gave them some late hope.

When this partnership was broken, Church Stretton were soon able to polish off the tail and, following up his six wicket haul the previous week, Smith took 4 for 35.

Dixon finished with figures of 4 for 25.