CHURCH Stretton dropped into the Shropshire League Division Four relegation places after a four-wicket derby defeat at Bishops Castle, who moved well clear of trouble in the process.

Batting first, Stretton could only post 147-8 from their 35 overs despite 51 from opener Rob Whittall who was run out by Josh Mills shortly after reaching his half-century.

James Evans (22) and Edward Groom (20) chipped in with middle-order runs but a burst of wickets from Caitlin Perry (3-43) kept Stretton in check.

In reply, Castle lost early wickets to put the game in the balance as Groom (2-22) removed both openers.

But Richard Fifield (45no) and Thomas Moulder (36), with late support from Simon Green (14no), got Castle over the line with four wickets and three-and-a-half overs to spare at 148-6.

Elsewhere, Corvedale are just one place off the relegation positions in Division Six after an emphatic 119-run defeat at home to high-flying Guilsfield.

Skipper Dave Lewis’s unbeaten 115 helped the visitors rack up 291-6 – Glyn Tipton (2-39) topping Corvedale’s bowling figures – and despite Chris Moore’s fine 72 the hosts could only muster 172-6 in reply.