Shipton-under-Wychwood maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of Division 2 with a comfortable six-wicket victory at home to Cove on Saturday.

Simon Hole’s side were on top from the moment they reduced the visitors to 29-4 after winning an important toss.

Cove struggled against Anupam Sanklecha, who took two wickets in an over while reducing them to 12-2.

Their position became even worse when opener Jordan Finney fell to George Seacole.

Hole’s decision to turn to spin for their first change paid dividends when veteran left-arm Shaun Miller dismissed Najib Malik to leave Cove in dire straits.

Stanley Marisa led a determined fightback with 76 off 123 balls, with two sixes and three fours, with good support from James Marsh in a fifth-wicket stand of 65.

But, having lost two wickets to run outs, they reached just 171-8 from their 50 overs, Sanklecha taking 2-18 from his ten overs, while the miserly Miller conceded only 17 runs from his allocation.

The hosts were never in trouble after Andrew Hemming and Stuart Hole produced an opening partnership of 74 at five-an over in reply.

Hole struck 65 off 45 balls with ten fours, before being first out.

George Seacole maintained the tempo, paving the way for Jamie Perkin to complete the job with 51 from 41 balls with two sixes and six fours.

Shipton passed their target with six wickets and 16 overs to spare.