Top flight newcomers move into pole position

3:23pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

PROMOTED Kineton top the Premier Division of the Cotswold Hills League after a second successive victory on their return to the top flight.

The leaders defeated Wellesbourne by six wickets and they boast a four-point lead at the summit.

Stratford Bards are in second after seeing off last season's runners-up Exhall and Wixford by 21 runs at Alscot Park, while Bretforton lie third a point further adrift after an easy win over Henley.

Paul Jones hit 89 off 53 balls and Scott Marshall rattled up 66 as the champions posted a challenging 267-6 and victory was quickly assured after tea when the chasers slumped to 19-3.

They recovered without ever looking like overhauling their target and finished on 159-7 to pick up six points that leaves Tanworth and Earlswood joint bottom.

Tanworth lost by nine wickets to Overbury while Earlswood's bowlers were put to the sword at Shipston where the hosts piled up 262-3 before restricting their opponents to 149-9 in reply.

Inflicted Matthew Corby recorded his fourth league century including ten 4s and four 6s, while decent contributions from Simon Wickson, Jamie Hurrell and Gary Betteridge inflicted more misery on the early strugglers.

A trio of Shipston batsmen topped the half-century mark in Division Two in pursuit of Long Itchington's 178-9.

Neil Harper, Matthew Pratt and Steve Hedderman were the fifty makers as the winners moved to the top of the table.

Chipping Campden are second after a fine batting display at Rowington where the home side were set 279 for victory but were dismissed for 139.

Winchcombe continue to struggle but must have felt victory was there for the taking when they skittled FISSC for 146. However, the Tiddington side's bowlers did the business and the visitors were sent packing for 104.

Stratford and Moreton-in-Marsh both won for a second time in the first division to occupy the top two slots after wins over Catherine-de-Barnes and Leamington respectively.

Bidford won the local derby at Ragley Park, Elmley Castle crashed heavily at Ashton, while Broadway were shot out for 218 in pursuit of Norton Lindsey's impressive 259-9.

Blockley had six wickets in hand at home to Woodbourne as their successful run chase took them to the summit of the third division where they already hold a 13-point cushion.

They are the only side to win both games with only Cookhill yet to register a win after a 21-run defeat at Great Alne.

Steve Guy was Fladbury's matchwinner against Exhall as his century helped the visitors total a daunting 2451-6.

Scott Carmichael top scored with 61 after tea but his efforts were in vain as the hosts were dismissed for 193 with the wickets shared between six bowlers.

There was better news for Exhall and Wixford in Division Six where the third team's seven-wicket win at Broadway prevented a complete reversal of the opening week's winning treble.

Bidford, Welford and section leaders Catherine-de-Barnes are the other clubs to have won both their opening games.

Bretforton and Alcester and Ragley made it two out of two in Division Four after comfortable defeats of Harvington and Earlswood respectively.

League newcomers The Lenches are one of a quartet of teams in Division Five to boast a 100 per cent record after scoring 275 against Rowington who were all-out for 139 in reply.

Leek Wootton, Alvechurch and Ashton are the top three with the former recording the day's joint best win having dismissed Stratford Bards for 59 after scoring 217-8.

Winchcombe's woes continued in Division Five where they were shot out for 92 after Dorridge and Hockley Heath had totalled 250-7 to win by 158 runs.

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