EVEN at this early stage of the Cotswold Hills League season, it looks like being a four-horse chase for the Premier Division championship.

Exhall and Wixford are the current incumbents of top spot but their record is matched by a trio of teams who have mustered fewer bonus points.

The champions of 2000 were in sparkling all-round form at Broadway where Matt Gwynn (93), Simon Hollands (64), Scott Carm-ichael (37no) and John Sim-pson (31) helped the visitors amass a daunting 275-6.

Stephen Kerby struck an early blow after tea when, despite 55 from Nigel Evans and decent knocks from Richard Jones (36) and Kevin Holmes (33), Broad-way's innings subsided.

Kerby (4-26) tore through the middle order, while Leon Gates, Sid Keen and Martin and John Park - the latter cleaning up with 1,001st victim for the club - ensured the reply ended with 143 on the board.

Moreton-in-Marsh are making their mark after successive promotions and they overcame Shipston, the champions of 2002, in the first meeting between the clubs since 1992.

David Williams (82), Phil Dawes (54) and 42 from Dave Henshaw helped the Batsford Road hosts set Shipston 197 for victory.

Poor shots and tight bowling then combined to be the chasers' downfall as the visitors slumped to 57-5.

Julian Morris hit an excellent half-century that included his 6,000th first team run as the visitors recovered well to close on 179-7.

Reigning champions Stratford Bards are three points behind Exhall and four ahead of Moreton after a six-wicket win at Alcester and Ragley. Overbury are in third after a similar margin of victory over Welles-bourne left them five points off the top.

It's a similar tale in the first division where a quartet of sides are jockeying for early superiority.

Henley-in-Arden lead the way after an easy win at Winchcombe but they are being tailed by Earlswood, Kineton and Warwick CC Staff.

Chipping Campden lead the way in Division Two after a handsome seven-wicket win at Wellesbourne but they are one of four teams with 48 points.

Ashton were the most impressive of the chasing trio after a nine-wicket success over Claverdon.

Abid Ali was the visiting side's hero with the ball as figures of 5-21 helped skittle the home side for 150.

Darren Haines then struck an unbeaten 76 and Richard Cooper 41 as Ashton eased to a comfortable victory.

There were more celebrations at the club after second team openers Dave Rose and Dominic Capaldi compiled a club record partnership of 236.

Rose hit an undefeated 110 and his partner exactly 100 as the hosts smashed their way to 244-1 against Elmley Castle.

Their shellshocked neighbours then lost two wickets without a run on the board before 76 from John Monk helped the reply reach 159. Sam Cope took 3-19 as Ashton won by 85 runs to move second in Division Five a point behind Dorridge who had eight wickets to spare at Tanworth-in-Arden.

After the previous weekend's embarrassment, Mickleton's batsmen salvaged pride by scoring 220-6 in a thrilling three-run defeat of Broadway.

Great Alne, who have swept all before them in the previous two summers, were given a taste of their own medicine as Norton Lindsey's second string opened up a 29-point advantage at the top of Division Three.

The leaders rattled up an impressive 221-6 and then dismissed the visitors for 103.

Long Itchington got the better of a high scoring clash with Rowington as they continue to set the pace in the fourth division. The visiting batsmen hit 277-2 before Rowington's brave reply ended at 214-7.

Ashorne lead Division Six after a nine-wicket win at Claverdon but league new boys Fladbury are in close contention after a big win over Catherine-de-Barnes.

Opener Colin Cole hit 90 and Paul Martin scored 79 to help the villagers post a healthy 233-8 before only being denied victory, and top spot, by the visiting side's last pair.

Martin and Geoff Holyland both took three wickets but Price and Bezuidenhoot remained unmoved in a stubborn tenth wicket partnership that lifted the reply to 136-9.

Other performances: McNally 78, Salter 50, Ashmead 3-35 (all Harvington); Davis 58no, Godfrey 4-20 (both Winchcombe II); A Smith (Bidford II) 6-15; N Edkins (Bidford) 3-8; A Brookes 3-23, N Healy 3-8 (both Twyning).