IT'S neck and neck at the top of the Premier Division of the Cotswold Hills League, sponsored by Readers Cricket Balls and John Shepherd Estate Agents, after wins for both Kineton and Exhall and Wixford.

While the former were easily getting the better of Wellesbourne, Kineton scraped victory by virtue of a faster scoring rate despite mustering only 76-7 at Elmley Castle.

Runs were hard to come by on a soft track and slow outfield and Elmley's batsmen struggled throughout an all out score of 96.

Martin Bainton took 4-30 and Neil Weston 2-20 but the bowler friendly conditions also suited the Castle attack as Steve Webb proved with figures of 2-6 from six overs.

Exhall's second string continue to dominate Division Three although free scoring Warwick County Council Staff are firmly on their tail.

An opening stand of 83 between Bruner and Hick-man set Exhall on their way but visitors Harvington hit back to restrict the table toppers to a modest 130-7 with Onens, Brown and Salter all taking two scalps.

The loss of two early wickets buoyed up the hosts and, despite 38 from McNally, only Williams was able to reach double figures as Exhall won by 22 runs.

Alex Green and Pete Stockley bowled the opening 20 overs for just 42 runs, while Brett Green's five cheap victims destroyed Harvington's lower order.

Harvington's second string fared marginally better at Prince Henry's, scoring a gallant 183 in response to the 193-9 posted by Catherine-de-Barnes.

Trevor Knowles hit 76 for the hosts in a terrific family affair with son Andrew taking 5-30 and scoring 19 in Harvington's reply.

Great Alne made it five straight wins in Division Five as they continue to dominate the section alongside Mickleton, who won by six wickets at Elmley Castle.

Opening bowler Tom Jones, ten overs for five runs, exerted a stranglehold at Eckington as the leaders restricted their hosts to a score of 26-2 after 20 overs.

Newcomer Paul Deaville struck an aggressive 37 to lift home spirits and their final total to 127-8 at tea.

Great Alne's batsmen then made rapid headway but the introduction of Mike Griffin brought a halt to the visitors' charge.

Griffin conceded nine runs from his ten-over stint as the reply stuttered to 61-5 but a captain's innings of 65 not out from Matthew Walters guided Great Alne to a three-wicket win.