A NINE wicket win over Lilleshall IIs ensured Bishops Castle continued to dream of promotion and the division two title.
Castle need only to win their remaining two games against Tibberton and promotion rivals Ellesmere to ensure a top two finish.
Simon Palmer (4-18) was in outstanding form to devastate the visiting batting order, which was restricted to 118-7 to defend.
Only Stuart Lane managed prolonged resistance until he was stumped by Joe McKay for 41, with Lilleshall’s challenge evaporating.
Andrew Lewis and Edgar Whateley guided Castle to the cusp of victory, until the latter was bowled for 50 by Chris Airey (1-18.)
It was left to Lewis (43no) and Richie Fifield (19no) to steer Castle home in the 26th over.
Montgomery IIs clinched survival in division four with an eight wicket win over Church Aston.
Michael Williams (6-26) turned in the display of the season as Aston were left to defend 92-9, with Mike Swales (17no) top scoring.
John Barker carried his bat with an unbeaten 44 and was joined by Charlie Clinton (27no) in seeing their side to 94-2 in the 23rd over.
Elsewhere Rob Owen (33no) guided Alberbury IIs to a three wicket win over Grove to boost their division four survival bid.
Grove posted 220-8 to defend, thanks to a half century from Danny Taylor with support from James Coffin (41), Keith Sambrook (26) and Jim Mostyn (24.)
Owen (2-53) was joined by Preston Fletcher (2-56) and Seb Pope (2-26) in taking wickets.
Alberbury enjoyed a bright opening to their innings with Andy Dale (35), David Butler (45), Jon Green and Huw Finnigan (40) making great inroads into their target.
However the home side needed an unbeaten 33 from Owen to guide them to a crucial victory with the final ball.
Elsewhere Bishops Castle IIs held on for a draw at Much Wenlock IIIs in division six.
Castle were set a target of 195 to chase with Kulvari Boparai top scoring with 87, despite the efforts of both Richie Langford (5-64) and Jack Perry (3-21.)
Gerald Jones (20), Dan Haubenshmid (22) and Jack Purvis (23) were let down by the middle order, as Matt and Caitlin Perry defended the last wicket as Castle closed on 150-9 for a losing draw.
Llanidloes IIs toasted a rare division seven victory with Ed Owen (45) and William Denham (35) helping set a target of 146-8 at home to Whitchurch IVs.
Archie Walker (3-22) and Mike Humphreys (3-17) were supported by Anthony Goodman (2-13) in skittling Whitchurch for 65 in reply.
Alberbury IIIs beat Whittington IIs by seven wickets after Paul Wilkes (5-6) and Toby Bird (3-9) had limited them to 53.
Nick Williams (10) was joined by Ed Roberts (21no) in guiding Alberbury home in 14 overs.