THE opening day of the Cotswold Hills League campaign fared remarkably well considering the untimely arrival of the cricketers' worst enemy!

At only ten of the 35 grounds was a ball not delivered on an afternoon of tense finishes, comfortable successes and frantic calculations.

Reigning champions Shipston enjoyed a comfortable seven-wicket win at Twyning, while promoted Broadway, Overbury and Stratford Bards all won well.

Skipper Andy Corby was Shipston's hero with a perfectly timed half-century in pursuit of 136 from 41 overs.

Corby was given staunch support by opener Tom Wood who finally fell for 36 before the experienced Dave Murphy joined his captain to steer the champions home with seven wickets and three overs to spare.

Murphy had earlier taken 3-18 from nine overs as Twyning were shot out for 135.

The hosts had started brightly as the opening duo reached 41 before Murphy's opening over brought the breakthrough.

Broadway had bowler Nick Stewart to thank after seeing off Wellesbourne, whose batting collapsed after three of the top four had topped 20.

The only venue where no play was possible was at Exhall, where the 2001 and 2002 champions had to settle for an afternoon in the bar!

Alcester and Ragley, hoping to claim a Premier Division place next term, started well with an eight-wicket victory over Bretforton.

The visitors were reduced to 26-6 as Nick Chadbourne and Shaun Quirke made the most of the conditions.

However, Rob Pratley and Matthew Stanley dug in and lifted Bretforton's total past three figures.

It didn't prove enough, though, as Dave Swinburn (28no) and Gary Strain (31no) carried Alcester to victory.

Elsewhere in the first division, Earlswood won on faster scoring rate against Henley-in-Arden, while the highest scoring match of the programme saw Norton Lindsey overcome Rowington again thanks to the calculators.

Wellesbourne and Catherine-de-Barnes were winners in Division Two, while four out of five scheduled games overcame the elements in the third division.

Overbury's second string completed a good day for the club with a 20-run defeat of Hockley Heath in a low scoring contest.

Harvington defeated Norton Lindsey on run rate, Stratford Bards found the FISSC bowlers too hot to handle, while Twyning won a tense finish at Winchcombe by one run.

Harvington's hero was Pete Taylor who hit an unbeaten 64 and helped Andy Salter add 83 runs in an unbroken stand that sealed a successful chase for 115 in 32 overs.

White was undefeated on 56 for the losers, who also had Morris to thank for 46 of his side's score of 162-6.

Twelve runs and two wickets were the narrow margins of success for Division Four winners Earlswood and Eckington, while Bretforton collected 20 points on the strength of a walkover at Alcester.

Mickleton slumped to the day's lowest score in a heavy defeat at the hands of Moreton-in-Marsh, a similar nine wicket hammering was dished out by Elmley Castle at Kenilworth.

The section's other winners were Long Itchington and Leamington. Evesham won at Harvington, while sixth division newcomers Cookhill started in convincing style with a 66-run victory at Ashorne.