BOWLER Richard Powell was the star turn as Bishop's Castle made the perfect start to their Shropshire League Division Two campaign.

He took 6-20 as visitors Welshpool were dismissed for just 82 runs, the home side then easing their way to a five-wicket victory.

Openers Nick Davies and Roger Knight settled in well and put on 44 for the first wicket before Powell struck. He had Davies caught behind for 34 with Knight (9) soon following after being trapped lbw by the seamer.

Matthew Knight (12) was the only other player to reach double figures for Welshpool as Powell, Paul Cottrell (3-24) and Andrew Lewis swept through the card.

In reply, opener Richard Plant (27) led the run-chase putting on an opening stand with Lewis (10) of 32 before being bowled.

Jonathan Price then took over and his 24 saw Castle over the line as they reached 83-5.

Also in Division Two, Church Stretton cruised to a 101-run victory at Iscoyd & Fenns Bank thanks to impressive displays with both bat and ball.

Put into bat, Stretton made 170-3 with James Warburg carrying his bat for an unbeaten 82 off 129 balls. Saif Khalid added a quickfire 41 off 47 balls including two sixes.

With Fenns at 49-2, the game was in the balance only for visiting skipper Peter Lee to take hold of the game with a hat-trick as the home side crumpled to 69 all out. Lee finished with 8-11 with Charlie Reece and Gabriel Williams taking the other wickets.

In Division Three, Ludlow 3rd lost by 44 runs at home to Harpers. Alfie Holliehead (4-34) was the pick of the Ludlow bowlers as the visitors were dismissed for 136 while Sam Thomas (16) top scored in the reply of 92 all out.

Decent knocks by Sam Roberts (44), Simon Miles (42) and Nathan Giles (48) helped Ludlow 2nd to 191-6 in their Reserve Division One match at Madeley but the hosts still secured a seven wicket win.

Corvedale 2nd won by three wickets at Newtown 2nds in Reserve Division Three, reaching 74-7 after dismissing the home side for just 71.

Tenbury Wells faced Knighton-on-Teme in a friendly and won a thriller by just six runs.

Batting first, Knighton reached 213-7 with Jack Farrar (5-13) the pick of the attack. Sam Siviter starred with the bat before being caught by Tom Pugh for 97.

In reply, half-centuries from Ben Thompson (68) and Pugh (50) looked like guiding Tenbury home but they fell short of their target at the end of their 40 overs.