JUST five points separate the top four teams in the Premier Division of the Cotswold League after comfortable wins for Broadway and Elmley Castle.

It's all-square at the top after Shipston got the better of Bidford, while Overbury and Wellesbourne are both still in there fighting in what promises to be the tightest title tussle for many years.

Stratford Bards won for an eighth successive time in Division One but they were made to work hard at Tan-worth. Twyning moved into second after an 81-run defeat of Claverdon and Alcester and Ragley's surprise setback at Norton Lindsey.

There was a welcome success for struggling Badsey, who were indebted to a boundary from Colin Emms off the penultimate delivery to overcome Stratford.

Emms had earlier produced a fine spell with the ball as the hosts mustered only 120, before Simon Price (40) and Wayne Pearse (41) added 86 for the second wicket.

Wickets the tumbled as Manning picked up four wickets but Emms held his nerve to clinch victory.

Second Division leaders Henley-in-Arden lost heavily at Alveston - a result that allowed Winchcombe to take over at the top after an eight-wicket win at Rowington.

Two tense battles at the bottom saw Harvington earn a welcome win at Hockley Heath, while the last pair of Catherine de Barnes were separated with the scores level at Great Alne.

Alcester and Ragley leap-frogged Division Four victims Broadway after three wickets apiece for the two Readers and Lister sent the hosts packing for 107. Lister then hit an unbeaten half century in an eight-wicket win.

Bruce senior's ten-over stint contained seven maidens.

Henley's miserable day continued as the second string stay rooted to the bottom after a five-wicket reverse against Kineton.

Twyning slipped to a first defeat in Division Five as the Claverdon bowlers had the upper hand in a 97-run triumph, while two of the sides at the wrong end of the table embarked on a run feast at Catherine de Barnes.

Visitors Elmley Castle rattled up a daunting 249-6 before restricting their hosts to 213-8 in a match that belied the pair's lowly placings.