MATT Corby continued his fine form to earn Shipston-on-Stour a vital Marston's Pedigree Cotswold Hills Cricket League Premier Division win.

Corby produced a well-disciplined innings of 133 with 20 fours and five sixes as his side set a competitive 250 target for rivals Exhall and Wixford to chase.

Things could have been different if Exhall skipper Barry Weston (2-19) had not come off injured just 6.3 overs into his spell.

Weston had removed Julian Morris (4) and Marcus Ireland (4) early on, leaving Shipston on 46-3 from their first 10 overs.

But Corby survived the new ball and with support from Jamie Shurmer (8), Simon Willey (13) and Neil Wilson (28) he produced a number of large partnerships to put Shipston in a strong position at tea.

Steve Kerby (3-41) and Will Green (2-37) were the other key bowlers for the home side.

Shipston believed they had a good total to defend but needed to get off to a good start in order to halt the normally-strong Exhall batting order.

Thanks to early wickets for Ireland (2-37) and Corby (4-49), Shipston got the start they required with Exhall finding themselves on 53-3 from their opening 10 overs.

Scott Carmichael (41) and Kerby (22) upped the run-rate to keep their side in the game.

But when Shipston captain Tom Cox introduced spinners Dave Pyne (2-20) and Jack Murphy (2-73) both batsman were quickly removed to leave Exhall on 112-5 and still wanting another 139 runs for victory.

Exhall’s lower order remained positive and despite the loss of further wickets kept in touch throughout the innings, making all results a possibility.

After 40 overs Exhall needed just 32 to win with a single wicket remaining.

Ireland returned to the attack and after two early boundaries for Tom Wright (26) he made the breakthrough much to the relief of everyone in the Shipston side.

They won the game by 26 runs, earning their first away success of the season in the process.