THE ugly spectre of relegation has reared its head again for Bidford-on-Avon after Saturday's derby day defeat to Exhall and Wixford.
An upturn in form looked to have banished fears of a drop into Division One but the weekend reverse has left the struggling Big Meadow side just two places above the Premier Division drop zone.
Bidford have a healthy 20 point cushion on second from bottom Broadway but may find it tough to put more daylight between the sides on Saturday and could end up being dragged into the bottom two.
If Broadway can cause a surprise at title-hopefuls Overbury, Bidford will have to at least equal their efforts at current leaders Stratford Bards (2pm start).
Jon Simpson's side will have to lift their spirits after losing the local bragging rights with a 124 run defeat at the hands of neighbours who have been hogging the headlines because of the National Knockout heroics.
Alcester & Ragley Park could end up trading places with Bidford as they continue to hold off their Division One rivals.
The Ragley Park side sent hosts Bretforton packing with an eight wicket weekend win to bag another 22 league points and stretch their lead over second placed Earlswood to 14 points.
Earlswood dropped points with a defeat to Henley-in-Arden and entertain third placed Moreton-in-the-Marsh in a tough looking fixture on Saturday while Alcester have a relatively straightforward-looking trip to bottom of the table Rowington.
Alcester have a 16 point cushion on third placed Moreton with two teams promoted and skipper Nick Chadbourne will be hoping the two chasing clubs slit each other's throats at the weekend.
Great Alne took another significant step towards the Division Four title with a 21 run win over Ashton-under-Hill II at the weekend.
Craig Millard's champions-elect posted just 164-8 but restricted their opponents to 143-8 to bag more league points.
The villagers, who have not lost a competitive fixture for two seasons, have amassed a massive 73 point gap over third placed Bearley Bears and look set to soon confirm a second successive promotion.
The title appears set to follow with Alne already 32 points clear of second placed Rowington II.
Next up are Earlswood II at home on Saturday (2pm start).
Paul Williams, reinstated as captain of Cookhill, slated his side after they crumbled to 87ao against Ashorne to pick up a solitary league point.
The visitors posted 180-3 after both openers were dropped 'several times' and the Nevill Arms side failed to chase.
Williams will be hoping to make amends at a Welford side immediately above them in the table, on Saturday (2pm start).
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