MATT Corby’s 145 helped Shipston-on-Stour post 271-7 to beat Alcester and Ragley by 64 runs in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division.

Shipston’s batsman had failed to chase relatively low totals against Lapworth and Long Itchington recently, leaving them just a few points above the relegation zone.

With the sun beating down on a relatively flat-looking pitch, Shipston were surprised when asked to bat first. 

Corby and Julian Morris saw off the new ball before the latter was trapped lbw for seven. 

Marcus Ireland and Corby negotiated testing overs from Darren Kok (2-37) and then dominated with the latter finding the boundary regularly to take Shipston to 109-1 from 22 overs.

Corby reached his half-century and then stepped on the gas to put his side in a strong position in the last 15 overs.

He reached his second ton of the season just before Kok removed Ireland (40) after a 143-run second-wicket partnership.

Th opener continued his onslaught before being caught on the boundary for 145.

On 227-3 with seven overs to go, quick runs from Jack Murphy (29), Jamie Shurmer (9) and Tom Cox (14) took Shipston closer to 300.

Steve Capron took 3-51 including two in consecutive overs to stall Shipston’s progress.

Alcester made a similar start with 25 before the first wicket fell with David Pilkington skying a catch to Cox at mid-off.

Kok raced to 20 before Ireland got one to nip back and bowl the opener.

Ireland (3-52) removed Ben Shuttleworth (1) soon after, reducing the visitors to 56-3 from 15 overs.

Ben Lee (51) and Darren Turner (21) had a quick 50 partnership to keep their side in touch before both fell to Murphy.

Tim Jackson remained positive with 51 not out including a few big sixes to take his side past 200.

Alcester dug in and although Murphy (4-39) returned to take his fourth wicket the visitors hung on with 207-9.

Shipston visit Exhall and Wixford on Saturday.