SHIPSTON-on-Stour got off to a losing start in the Cotswold Hills Cricket League Premier Division.

The hosts scored 142-8 but promoted Overbury responded with 143-5 to win by five wickets.

With the wet weather washing out pre-season, Shipston’s new groundsman Chris Calcott worked tirelessly to prepare the ground for action.

The important toss was won by Overbury’s captain who asked Shipston to bat first.

With no cricket for several months, both sides started cautiously and with the grass stopping the ball the batsman received little reward for their early stroke play.

Shipston lost their first wicket when Simon Willey (3) was smartly caught at mid-wicket with the score at 21 from the first eight overs.

Overbury made runs hard to come by for Shipston who could not put their mark on the game.

Julian Morris (20) and Jack Murphy (6) were next to go as the hosts crept to 36-3.

Marcus Ireland (38) and Graham Pratt (14) took a more aggressive approach with 49 for the next wicket and brought Shipston back with 15 overs left.

But Overbury took regular wickets to restrict Shipston’s progress from 45 overs.

Bowlers Mark Trueman (4-32) and Josh Colwell (2-18) set a high standard for Shipston to follow.

After losing an opener in the third over for a duck, Overbury were under pressure but after a missed chance to dismiss Colwell he and D Bull made Shipston pay.

Shipston’s bowlers failed to shake off the winter cobwebs as the visitors scored frequent boundaries.

The pair took the score to 90 before Colwell (43) was bowled by Jack Murphy (1-16) to break the partnership.

Wickets for Ireland (2-42) and Dave Murphy (2-39) gave Shipston slight hope but Bull (53) kept his cool to leave his team within a few runs before Aaron Brown (15 not out) came in to finish the job.

Shipston travel to Norton Lindsey on Saturday.