NOT all the batsmen made hay in last Saturday's welcome sunshine but players throughout the Cotswold Hills League, supported by John Shepherd Estate Agents, were relieved to get down to come decent action after a couple of frustrating weekends.

Warwick CC Staff and Winchcombe both topped 250 in their Division One matches but there were red faces all round at Hockley Heath, Kineton, Mickleton and Evesham - a quartet of clubs who failed to reach 50.

While Hockley fell just three short after dismissing Great Alne for 108 in the third division, Kineton were skittled for a paltry 28 after Long Itchington had improved their position at the top of the fourth division table after rattling up 213-4.

Hosts Evesham were sent packing for 33 as Ashorne picked up an easy nine-wicket win in Division Six but most embarrassed were Mickleton who were toppled for 23 as Ashton's second string coasted a ten-wicket win in Division Five.

Skipper Steve Fletcher, Sam Cope and Guy Garland all took three wickets and Mickleton did well to even reach 23 after losing their opening seven wickets for a mere nine runs.

It was a good day for the Ashton club, whose senior side recorded a four-wicket second division win under the guidance of new skipper Karl Shepherd.

Fellow newcomer Abid Ali made his mark against Exhall and Wixford with a fine early stint of 2-11 before Tom Archer, just back from honeymoon, ripped out four more. Shepherd then chipped in with two wickets to help restrict the visitors to 95-8 from 45 overs.

The captain then found himself back at the crease alongside Phil Wood (24no) as Ashton eased to victory.

Exhall's first team fared far better to take an early grip on top spot in the Premier Division after hammering Twyning by 144 runs.

Matt Gwynn, deputising for injured skipper Simon Hollands, hit 27, while further useful runs came from Leon Gates, Steve Kerby, Graham Wickes and John Simpson who smashed an accomplished 79 as the home side reached a daunting 223-5.

Kerby and Gates then helped reduce the visitors to 27-4 before Sid Keen took the last six wickets in a marvellous ten-over stint that cost just 17 runs as Twyning subsided to 79 all out.

Reigning champions Stratford Bards started in winning mode as they bowled out Wellesbourne for 131 after totalling 199-7 at Alscot Park.

Former champions Ship-ston came unstuck at home to Overbury who look a decent bet to give Bards and Exhall a good run for their money.

Father and son Andy and Matt Corby opened up for the London Roaders and gave them a steady start. However, when Corby senior fell to a loosener from Ally Munro, the rot set in with former Evesham skipper Jon Gregory inflicting some of the damage as Shipston slumped to 73-7.

It was left to veteran Dave Murphy to help shore up the tail and he helped Matthew Pratt add an unbroken 48 for the eighth wicket to give the hosts a glimmer of hope.

Overbury suffered an early blow after tea and the game was back in the melting pot when Dave Pyne snapped up two wickets in his opening over.

However, Shipston were made to pay dearly for dropping Paul Gillett on three occasions before he had reached double figures and he took full advantage to hit an unbeaten 34. Jamie Munro's patient half-century helped Overbury to a seven-wicket victory with five overs to spare.

Top flight newcomers Moreton-in-Marsh had a successful baptism with a 34-run win at Bidford.

While there were mixed fortunes for Moreton's fellow 2003 champions, Warwick CC Staff, Great Alne and Exhall and Wixford's second string, Division Five champions last year Leamington raced to a ten-wicket win at Kenilworth, but it wasn't quite as easy for Division Five newcomers Woodbourne who had just 20 runs to spare at Tanworth-in-Arden.

League newcomers Fladbury enjoyed their debut after switching from the same division in the Worcestershire County League. The villagers dismissed Alvechurch for 104 and then lost just one wicket in claiming 22 points to move up to second.