Captain tells Reman to maintain their focus

That has left his side facing a straight shoot-out with Newport, who they face on the final day of the Shropshire League season.

It's likely to prove a winner takes all clash in the Premier Division, but Ashlin is making sure Reman look no further than Saturday's trip to Broseley.

Reman bowled out Wem cheaply at Albert Road and wasted no time on the chase, easing over the line with seven wickets to spare.

And the skipper said: "It was a good win in an obviously important match for us. If you look at the table it was a must-win and we knew that.

"That's cricket and we probably had the better of the conditions on Saturday. But we move on and, despite the win, we can't afford to think about the final day.

"We know we have to go to Broseley next and they are an incredibly tough side. They have already beaten us emphatically this season.

"The last day of the season won't mean anything unless we get the result there."

David Laird starred against Wem for Reman, taking 4-16 as the hosts reduced the visitors to 134.

He then made 38 at the top of the order with fellow opener Matt Richards contributing 41, to put Services on their way to a comfortable victory.

Danny Cohen, Tom Astley and James Astley took a wicket apiece for beaten Wem. Ashlin said: "Our wicket suited us a little more against Wem than it usually does.

"We'd say we got the better of the conditions, but after we bowled them out we still had to go and get them. The openers did very well and almost got the job done.

"We were pretty much out of the woods from there and then it was straightforward. David was moved to the top order midway through the season and it just clicked. He's batted really well for us at the top."

Ashlin is more than aware that Broseley will be a tough test, adding: "They have a South African, Neill Jordan, who is a very good cricketer.

"We were beaten at home as they caught a huge total, so we know they are a very good side."

Meanwhile, Newport maintained their advantage at the top of the with a 137-run win at Cound.

Home skipper Andy Harrison put the visitors in and justified the decision himself, by removing openers Paul Furniss and Jamie Prew cheaply.

But James Board, coming in first wicket down, was still there on an unbeaten 104 after the 45 overs.

Rajat Bhatia and Mark Downes hit 54 apiece and the leaders closed on 266-9, despite Joe Yapp claiming 5-53.

Cound never got going in reply and it took a defiant 40 from No.9 Craig Kinsey to lever them up to 129 all out. Bhatia took 6-24.

St Georges closed to within half-a-dozen points of fourth-placed Frankton by beating them at home.

Frankton were fired out for 55 as Tylor Trenoweth took 7-21.

St Georges didn't find the going much easier with the bat., but Ben Miller's unbeaten 15 got them over the line for the loss of five wickets.

Ludlow had the better of a home draw with Broseley, Jack Griffiths (65) and Sam Alford (57) propelling them to 237-7 off their 50 overs. Skipper Gavin Jones made 54 as Broseley closed on 149-8.

Quatt couldn't quite force victory against Madeley, who lost nine wickets and were indebted to No 7 Tom Foulkes for an unbeaten 42.

No 10 Lee Jackson also made an invaluable 32, as the visitors clung on at 129-9. Earlier, Elliot Parker (51), Terry Hughes (42) and Alex Biddle (40 not out) helped Quatt post 210-6.

Wroxeter Grove remain adrift at the bottom after a nine-wicket home beating at the hands of Bomere Heath.

Henry Dawson took 5-19 for Bomere as the Grove were dismissed for just 107. Opener Ian Gillespie made an unbeaten 43 in reply.