CASTLE slumped to an eight wicket defeat against a strong Shelton side and slipped back into second bottom spot in the Banks's Shropshire League Division Two.

The visitors won the toss and invited Castle to bat on a wicket with a dry top but a soft base. The ball seamed sharply and the early Castle batsmen had no answer to the swing and seam of Shelton bowling attack, slumping to 57-5.

With a miserable total on the cards it was a determined sixth wicket stand of 69 between Simon Palmer (23) and top scorer Andrew Lewis (44) which lifted Castle to 126 before both departed within a couple of overs.

The tail failed to wag and Castle were all out for a modest 157 in the 43rd over, gifting Shelton with two extra overs.

Chasing their target of 158 in 47 overs Shelton were always in control with the opening stand realising 85 in good time.

Richard Walker (61) and skipper Paul Davies (39 not out) steered the visitors to victory with overs to spare