SHIPSTON-on-Stour suffered a first defeat of the new Cotswold Hills League season on a day tailor made for spin.

High-flying Lapworth made off from Shipston Sports Club with a comfortable seven-wicket victory with James Tiffen (7-12) the home side's tormentor.

Lapworth won the toss and chose to bowl first and while Shipston openers Matt Corby (36) and Jamie Shurmer (12) started strongly, putting on 56 for the first wicket, Tiffen and James Mason brought that progress to a shuddering halt.

Their prowess with the ball saw Shipston collapse to 75 all out by the 30th over with Mason's three wickets for six runs claimed in nine overs.

Shipston refused to throw in the towel and came out looking to put the Lapworth batsman under the same pressure they had found themselves under earlier in the game.

Marcus Ireland (0-14) beat the bat frequently during his two spells and Dave Pyne reproduced his fine performance from the previous week to complete his 10 overs for just 13 runs, taking the wicket of opener Reuben Arnold (15) in the process.

Shipston managed two further wickets but the visitors hit their target of 76 in the 31st over, Mason (18) hitting the winning runs to see through victory.

The result saw Lapworth move into second, while Shipston slipped to fifth ahead of facing a trip to third-placed Norton Lindsey & Wolverton on Saturday (1.30).

James Hurrell's 109 not out helped Moreton-in-Marsh to an 89-run victory at Stoneleigh in the Second Division.

Hurrell was joined by Harry Mercer (62) to see through a tally of 293 for two.