PHIL Hall hit a winning six as Shipston-on-Stour beat visitors Broadway by three wickets in the John Shepherd Cotswold Hills Cricket League Premier Division.

Third-placed Shipston reached a decisive 188-7 in the 38th over after fourth-from-bottom Broadway struggled to 183-7.

Their openers Adam Smallman and Luke McDonagh made just 23 from 10 overs against bowlers Marcus Ireland and Matthew Corby.

McDonagh edged Ireland to second slip Gary Betteridge who pulled off a stunning one-handed catch. Wickets fell regularly as Smallman (20) was the highest scorer among the top-order batsmen.

But, from 83-6 in the 29th over, James Cutler (74 not out) and Stephen Wheeler (17) transformed the innings by doubling the score.

Cutler added 17 runs off the final over. Ireland (2-26), Paul Cross (2-39), Jon Hartley (2-45) and Dave Murphy (1-34) were the wicket-takers.

Shipston’s reply started badly with Corby (3) and Ireland (10) dismissed by Richard Pedley before Jamie Powell nipped one back to deceive Julian Morris lbw for just one.

From 17-3, a partnership of 53 between Jack Murphy and Tom Corby (24) repaired some damage.

Jack Murphy shared valuable partnerships of 41 with Hartley (23) and 27 with both Betteridge (13) and Hall before being dismissed for a crucial 56. Skipper Cross (11) and Hall (30) then saw the home side to victory thanks to the latter’s six over long-on.

Pedley bowled well for 4-47 alongside Powell (2-32) and Andy Beale (1-21).

  • Ebrington still have a chance of promotion from Division Two when they host The Lenches on Saturday.

They won by eight wickets at table-toppers Rowington and are six points behind second-placed FISSC but the Warwickshire outfit finish off at basement boys Tanworth and Camp Hill seconds.

Nathaniel Gregory was in promotion mood with a winning 138 not out against Rowington who had opened with 218-4 from 45 overs.