SHIPSTON-on-Stour toppled Tanworth and Camp Hill for 118 to win their Cotswold Hills Cricket League Premier Division clash by 125 runs.

With the possibility of a defeat leading to a tricky battle against the drop, Shipston crucially beat their rivals in boiling conditions after Tom Cox asked them to field first.

Shipston amassed 243-8 with Jack Murphy and Julian Morris ensuring regular opener Matt Corby was not missed with an opening stand of 132.

Morris (44) was caught at deep mid-wicket and Marcus Ireland hit a quick 13 before hauling out to deep mid-off.

Graham Pratt and Murphy ran well to guide Shipston past the 200 mark, producing a fine 80 partnership that also saw the latter reach his first century of the season in the 40th over.

Murphy (100) and Pratt (32) went soon after as the side went on the attack and fell just short of 250.

Tanworth needed to get off to a steady start and Andy Turnbull went on the offensive but had to watch several partners depart as Shipston’s seamers took control.

Ireland (2-38) was the main threat, beating the bat on a frequent basis and taking the wicket of Andy Linfield (4).

He was eventually rewarded with the wicket of Turnbull (37), edging to Morris at second slip.

Sam Dexter (1-22) and Stephen Cross (2-36) were the other early wicket-takers.

Tanworth reached the 100 mark five down before the introduction of spinners Dave Pyne (2-13) and Murphy (3-6) bought a swift end to proceedings.

They took the remaining five wickets in just 10 overs to reduce the hosts to 118 all out.

AJ Shangardia (21) and James Carey (20) were the other main scorers for Tanworth who face a fight against relegation going into the final four games of the 2018 season.

The win kept Shipston in touch with the top four but realistically third looks to be the highest possible finishing position left for the London Roaders to achieve.

They visit joint leaders Lapworth on Saturday.