A SOLID team performance ensured maximum points for Ship-ston after having lost the toss and being asked to bat first on a wicket damp from heavy overnight rain.

Openers Julian Morris and Mervyn Randall started cautiously against the Elmley Castle new ball posting 67 before Morris (34) miscued a drive to give a return catch to Nick Crisp.

Randall advanced his score to 40 before top edging a delivery from Neil Cooper to the safe hands of Karl Sheward and, with the score on 126, Jon Walker's departure gave Simon Cooper a deserved reward.

Two more wickets fell in quick succession, Gary Betteridge bowled by Neil Cooper and the same bowler then removed Howard Bentham.

Just as Elmley thought they had the home side on the rack, Lawrence Stock took control and, with Dave Murphy, added 82 runs in eight overs.

Murphy perished with just four balls remaining but Stock remained unbeaten on 63 an innings containing eight 4s and two 6s to lift Shipston to 216-7 and maximum bonus points.

Walker took the important wicket of Craig Sheward in his second over assisted by a superb catch by Bentham.

After a couple of shaky overs Stock found the line and length to bowl and returned his best figures of the season (3-34). And, with Walker picking up his second wicket, the visitors were in trouble at 68-5 from 20 overs.

Shipston needed to end Elmley's innings under 120 for maximum bowling points and Murphy (3-10) set up the chance and skipper Betteridge completed the job in successive balls as Elmley were all out for 100.

Bentham, with four outfield catches for a new Shipston league record, led the way in one of Shipston's better fielding displays.