CHAINWIRE beat Division Five rivals Knighton-on-Teme by 52 runs. Their heroes were Stephen James, who scored 47no and took 2-17, and Clive Smith, who followed up the previous week's five-wicket haul with an excellent 4-34.

Batting first, Chainwire's top order struggled, thanks to tight bowling by Knighton's opening bowlers.

At one stage Chainwire were reduced to 37-3 off 21 overs, then a stand of 87 in 18 overs between James and vice-captain Trevor Paddock (39) helped them post a competitive 179-4 off their 45 overs.

In reply, Knighton lost wickets regularly, thanks to the superb bowling of Mark Meese 2-23, and James.

The introduction of Smith finally ended Knighton's hopes, as they were bowled out for 127. This result puts Chainwire among the early pace-setters.