BOTH sides will doubtless be happy after a negative conclusion to Saturday's Cotswold Hills League Match of the day at Shipston, writes Mervyn Collins.

Positive starts were made with the bat but it was Steve Righton, who emerged the day's star turn with figures of 4-19 from ten exemplary overs to ensure Bidford never realistically had a chance of overtaking Shipston's 179-9.

Skipper Julian Morris provided the backbone of the innings with a fine knock of 87 but he was the only batsman to come to terms with a bowler friendly track.

They all had to work hard, though, and credit must go to the visitors for restricting Shipston after Morris and Gary Betteridge had added 40 in the opening ten overs.

The latter felt harshly done by when adjudged run out after being sent back. He felt Mike Nason hadn't taken off the balls in the required manner.

There was no doubt about Jim Walker's removal without scoring - Nason's sole reward of a fine ten-over stint.

Simon Wickson then gave Darren Barnes deserved reward for another splendid spell as Shipston slipped to 70-3 in the 23rd over.

Dave Murphy then joined Morris with a day's best stand of 74 but still the batsmen were second best.

Morris rode his luck on several occasions and the umpires seemed to be on his side as two leg before shouts went unheeded and a run out was turned down.

Stuart Ellison's return to the attack prompted an increase in the run rate as 11 came from his third over but the bowler had his revenge after Dave Bant had taken a return catch to remove Murphy.

Catches of the highest order from Nason, Tim Evans and Neil Betteridge, the latter's diving effort ending Morris's 40-over stay at 143-6, shifted the balance of power Bidford's way with Ellison the grateful bowler as he reeled in figures of 4-59.

Andy Corby lifted the hosts' total to one of reasonable proportions but Bidford made solid early headway as Macer Nash and Nigel Wilson reduced the arrears by 40 when Righton took over.

Three more wickets tumbled to the right-arm seamer for the addition of 17 runs as the table toppers lost their grip on matters.

Ellison and Nigel Edkins led the recovery with a stand of 28 before the latter, rather grudgingly, fell leg before to Murphy.

The bowler's opening delivery of yet another miserly spell saw frantic appeals for lbw turned down and perhaps Edkins felt the umpire was making up for his earlier decision.

However, that was the end of Bidford's winning hopes although Ellison hung around long enough to top score with 28 and Nason's unbeaten 21 at the finish saw the visitors top 150 and take an additional point to ensure they maintain a share of the lead.

The introduction of Aussie Lawrence Stock gifted the visitors eight last over runs that could yet have a say in the destiny of what promises to be an exciting second half of the season.