Wem pushed Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League GW Group One leaders Shifnal in a closely contested clash on Saturday.

The hosts decided to set Wem a total to chase in wet conditions, and Sam Peate’s men must have feared the worst when Shifnal’s opening pair but on 67 for the first wicket.

However, once former Shropshire skipper Steven Leach was dismissed, Wem chipped away at their hosts with former Oswestry man Xavier Clarke also dismissed cheaply – Alex Ollerenshaw and Jim Astley with the wickets.

Opener Ed Beard and middle-order batter Jack Edwards both score half-centuries as Shifnal finished 189-7 from their 40 overs.

In reply, a strong start of 27 for the first wicket gave Wem hope, but they lost wickets at regular intervals, with only Martyn Davies scoring more than 20 as Wem were 163 all out, 26 runs short.

Meanwhile, in the Shropshire County League Mike Robinson Group, Whitchurch were edged out in defeat against Shelton.

Opting to bat first, Whitchurch slumped to 123 all out in just 29 overs, despite reaching 121-5 and as top score of 37 from Iftikhar Khan.

There were six ducks, including Daniel Bowen’s 0 not out, while in reply Shelton only just scraped over the line finishing 127-8 to win.