Aussie Chris hurries Exhall to the summit (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Aussie Chris hurries Exhall to the summit

WHILE Cotswold Hills League Premier Division leaders Kineton were losing on run rate to Earlswood, title rivals Exhall and Wixford and Bretforton wasted no time in securing victories.

Hitting out: Chipping Campden batsman Wayne Rose swings this delivery to the legside during Saturday's Cotswold Hills League game at Ebrington.

It took the former just an hour and 40 minutes to see off the challenge of Henley who were shot out for a meagre 33 as Australian Chris Prescott ripped through their batting.

The paceman took seven wickets for just ten runs as the hosts were dismissed inside 16 overs with Steve Keen claiming two wickets.

Exhall knocked off the runs in just five overs for the loss of Matt Gwynn and, to add to Henley's ignominy, extras was top score as the winners took over at the summit.

Four Bretforton bowlers took wickets as Overbury were dismissed for 62 in the 35th over with only Des Haynes (20) reaching double figures.

On its way: Ebrington's Matthew Proctor sends down a delivery during Saturday's clash with Chipping Campden.

Ian Prince (3-7), Darren Key (3-26), Paul Jones (2-12) and Alex Evans (2-17) were the wicket takers as the visitors sensed an early finish.

With rain threatening, Scott Marshall and Phil Davis added 43 quick runs before both fell without addition to the total.

That was the signal for Jones to enter the fray and he smashed Ally Munro for three successive 6s to hurry Bretforton to victory inside 15 overs.

Dave Currall hit 84 as Stratford Bards made 216-5 at home to Shipston who were in trouble at 53-3 at the premature conclusion.

Wellesbourne moved ahead of Bards into fourth after they dismissed Tanworth for 115 after the home side were themselves all-out for 160.

Former leaders Kineton lost for the second successive Saturday when Earlswood reached their revised target of 114 with seven wickets in hand.

Norton Lindsey closed the gap on the top two in Division One after a six-wicket win at struggling Moreton-in-Marsh.

They are now just seven points adrift of joint leaders Catherine-de-Barnes and Elmley Castle with the former suffering a shock defeat at Alcester and Ragley.

Having dismissed their visitors for 118, the Ragley Parkers had their last pair at the crease when they reached their target.

Elmley, meanwhile, were facing a tough task when the rain arrived having seen Bidford pile up an impressive 263-5.

Gretton (62) and skipper Andy Pickles (74no) were the home side's aces with the bat but Craig Sheward (53no) was leading the chase at 90-1 when the match was abandoned.

Neil Harper hit 102 to help Shipston to a run rate Division Two victory against Winchcombe meaning that the leading quartet all recorded wins with Chipping Campden's chase of a revised target at Ebrington the pick.

Third division leaders Blockley saw their lead cut by two points despite rattling up 339-4 against Fladbury.

Rob Sipthorpe hit 79 and Dan Knight 113 as the visiting bowlers were put to the sword before the weather intervened with the chasers having made 88 off 14 overs for the loss of both openers.

Bretforton were one of a trio of sides to overcome the elements in Division Four as their 52-run defeat of Norton Lindsey left them 27 points clear of Bearley who dismissed Earlswood for a meagre 35 in a ten-wicket rout.

Dorridge and Hockley Heath opener Devenport struck a superb 157 out of his side's total of 251-7 against Harvington who were 106-2 when the rain arrived in the 20th over.

The second strings of the two clubs locked horns in a basement battle in Division Six won by the former who dismissed Harvington for 128 having been themselves skittled for 172.

All five games in Division Five reached a conclusion with Ashton boasting a trio of half-centurions in their 51-run win over Rowington.

Dominic Capaldi (55), Chris Pearce (65) and Jonathan Cooper (69) were the batters on song as Ashton stayed in touch with runaway leaders Leek Wootton.