SHIPSTON-on-Stour lost the battle for third spot in the John Shepherd Cotswold Hills Cricket League Premier Division.

They crashed by seven wickets at Wellesbourne who claimed the place behind Exhall and Wixford and champions Earlswood.

But, despite a disappointing final-day display, fourth was Shipston’s highest league finishing position since 2007.

They scored 131 all out through a poor batting performance and saw Wellesbourne romp home after a shaky start with 134-3 in 20.5 overs due to an unbeaten ton by Nathan Edwards.

Shipston’s Jack Murphy, in his 100th consecutive first XI league appearance, top scored with 45, Phil Hall added 27 and Jon Hartley 10. Chris Evans removed the top three in his 10 overs for just 19 runs.

Edwards (4-16) ripped out the middle order but Tom Stephenson (2-55) suffered as Hall hit out towards the end of the innings.

Matt Corby made an early breakthrough, bowling Tom Wheeler (0) and running out Gary Maynard (4).

Jon Walker consistently beat the bat and after 12 overs the score had reached 33-2.

But he was taken off due to a calf injury and Edwards took on the new bowlers with 96 runs within 53 balls.

Jamie Maynard, with 16 in a partnership of 109, was bowled by Corby (2-36) in the 20th over but supported Edwards’ 106 not out which included 22 fours.

  • Slaughters United missed out on the Gloucestershire League Division Three title on the final day to Westbury-on-Severn who overtook them with a 77-run win.

Hosts Slaughters finished in the second promotion spot after being dismissed for 143 in reply to 220-9.

Opener Jon Tegg’s 119no did the damage with John McPhilimey taking 4-50 from nine overs.

In reply, only James Arnold (38) really troubled the scorers as Dan Hockaday claimed 6-22.

Great Rissington won Division Five after a four-wicket home success over Ullenwood Bharat.

The visitors managed 223 all out but Peter Garratt’s 103 led them to a winning 224-6 from 42 overs. Fellow opener Chris Bowen added 58.