Eight wickets for Shipston's Corby (From Cotswold Journal)

Eight wickets for Shipston's Corby

5:30pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Sport

SHIPSTON-on-Stour moved further away from the John Shepherd Cotswold Hills Cricket League Premier Division relegation zone.

They thrashed second-frombottom Stratford Bards by 92 runs to extend their advantage over their visitors to 27 points in seventh position.

On a damp pitch, Stratford asked Shipston to bat first and they laboured to 145 all out from 44.4 overs.

Gary Betteridge (44) top-scored in a return to form, while Phil Hall (22) supported his captain in an important fifth-wicket stand of 42.

In Bards’ reply, Marcus Ireland enjoyed an early success, having an opener caught by wicketkeeper Craig Robins for five. Ireland also clean bowled a batsman for the sixth wicket but the performance of the day at London Road was by Matthew Corby.

He blew away the Bards with a 17-year-old Shipston firsts league record of 8-14 from 9.2 overs with four maidens.

It looked under threat early on in Corby’s first over as he made the ball seam and swing in both directions. Only a spirited effort by Will Noble (33) saved the visitors’ blushes.

Corby clean bowled six batsmen and had two caught by Robins and Hall.

Bards’ final tally of 53 gave Shipston a much-needed 19- point win ahead of the return clash on Saturday at Alscot Park.

Meanwhile, the relegationthreatened seconds lost by 89 runs to Winchcombe in Division Two after being dismissed for 145 in reply to 251-4 from 45 overs.

Skipper Tom Cox won the toss and inserted Winchcombe on a damp track.

They struggled against Roger Wickson, who only conceded 19 runs from 10 overs, but soon got into their stride with 64 runs for the first wicket.

Wallis (19) fell to Dave Pyne but Jones (77) embarked on a fruitful partnership with Parker (29) before both were dismissed in successive balls by Neil Harper (2-71).

But the middle order hit out with Holder (62 not out) and Major (42) putting on a stand of 107 in just 12 overs.

Shipston’s target was reduced to 235 off 42 overs following a rain interruption and their reply began well as Harper (27) and Alex Welsby (26) posted a 53-run partnership.

However, the innings quickly subsided to 107-7 before they were dismissed for 145 inside 40 overs.

Ballinger (3-26), Ashton (3-40) and Hill (3-12) shared the wickets around.