JONATHAN Price’s excellent knock of 80 proved in vain as Bishops Castle were blown away by the batting of Shropshire League Division Four leaders Chelmarsh.

Price made more than half of Castle’s total of 152-4 in a game reduced to 25 overs per side by rain, with Richard Fifield (38) providing the only real support.

But Chelmarsh raced to their target with more than six overs to spare to record a comprehensive nine-wicket victory at 153-1.

Stephen Zayler (62no), Matthew Evans (36) and Connor Glendinning (34) hit a string of boundaries to bludgeon them home with Andrew Lewis (1-44) the only Castle bowler to claim a wicket.

Defeat leaves Simon Palmer’s side fourth-bottom of the table but they have an opportunity to move clear of trouble at home to second-bottom Cae Glas this Saturday.

Rain reigned elsewhere as Corvedale’s Division Six trip to St George’s thirds fell victim to downpours, as did Cleobury Mortimer’s Worcestershire League Division Eight game at Avoncroft seconds.

There was also no action in Knighton on Teme’s Marches League Division Three trip to Builth Wells seconds.