NORTON Lindsey & Wolverton moved three points clear at the top of the Cotswolds Hills League Premier Division with a big victory over Shipston-on-Stour.
Shipston won the toss and decided to bat first on a good wicket.
Opener Julian Morris took full advantage of this opportunity but his partners were unable to get to grips with the Norton attack.
Five batsmen recorded single figure scores as Richard Pozzi and David McInnes applied the early pressure.
Pozzi returned four maidens in his ten-over spell, finishing with 2-19.
Andy Dewar finally removed Morris (56) in the 31st over when the score had lurched to 95, and Shipston were struggling to set a decent target.
The lower order swung the bat as Tom Cox (14), Stephen Cross (19) and Neil Wilson (24) attempted to provide some sort of respectability.
But as soon as Conor Green and Glen Lacey were introduced the innings folded on 159, giving Norton three extra overs.
Gavin Shephard (15) and Pozzi (33) began the reply needing just over three runs an over and were up with the rate when they were separated in the seventh over with the score on 26.
Stuart Shephard (11) replaced his brother and runs continued to accumulate at the required rate until he was adjudged lbw to Nicholas Hibberd.
This brought in-form James Pyatt (74no) to the middle and the score began to accelerate.
He and Pozzi took the total to 102, when the third wicket fell and Green (16) joined Pyatt to increase the rate further.
Green departed in the 33rd over but the line was in sight and skipper Martin Perfect nudged the ball for a single to win with 20 overs to spare.
Norton visit unbeaten Lapworth on Saturday.
