Bowling pair take five apiece in Shipston victory

SHIPSTON eased their relegation fears with a thumping 165-run victory over London Road visitors Lapworth who they skittled out for a paltry 39 runs.

Marcus Ireland and Sam Dexter did the damage, taking five wickets apiece after the hosts had posted 204/8 off their 45 overs.

Captain Jack Murphy (61) and Daniel Knight (72) got Shipston off to the perfect start, putting on 109 for the first wicket but Josh Bolderston (20) was the only other batsman to make runs.

In response Lapworth's inning never got going, thanks to two brilliant opening spells of bowling from Ireland (5-21) and Dexter (5-15) that resulted in them being all out in the 16th over.

Elsewhere in the top division, Tanworth and Camp Hill kept up their title chase with a six-wicket victory over Wellesbourne leaving the reigning champions perilously close to the drop zone.

Great bowling from Oscar Newell (4-14) and Tim Keyte (4-21) had the visitors in trouble as they were all back in the pavilion for 104.

In reply, opener Lee Gill (42no) carried his bat as Tanworth eased home in the 23rd over.

Exhall and Ragley beat neighbours Alcester and Ragley by 30 runs helped by a knock of 53 from opener Julian Morris. Home bowling pair Jack Biddle (4-25) and Adam Farrow (4-35) did their best to limit the visitors to 177 but even with skipper Paul Dipple’s 45, they fell short in reply with Tommy Simpson taking 4-26.