THERE was a new twist in the chase for top flight honours in the 3D Cotswold Hills League as Exhall and Wixford slumped to a nine-wicket defeat at Welles-bourne.

The leaders are now just three points clear of reigning champions Shipston with three games remaining.

Shipston's total of 199-9 from 45 overs against Ashton-under-Hill was disappointing on a superb batting strip worthy of at least 50 runs more.

Martin Hall (3-28) and David Turner (3-22), backed up by fielders Richard and Dave Hudson-Wood and Simon Hunt, who all held on to excellent catches, kept the score below 200.

Jon Walker top scored with 43 closely followed by Dave Murphy (41), the pair sharing a 63-run fourth wicket stand.

Gary Betteridge, Lawrence Stock and Mark Foster were the other main contributors.

Steve Righton dismissed Ashton openers Richard Cooper and Jason Haines but partnerships of 45 between Dave Rose and Hall and 46 between Hall and Dave Hudson-Wood put the visitors firmly in the driving seat at 113-4 with 15 overs remaining.

Howard Bentham (2-25), though, applied the brakes but runs were still being scored at the required rate.

The turning point came when skipper Betteridge held on to a steepler of a catch at wide long on to dismiss Hall for 48.

Richard Wood and Rob Hawker threatened but wickets continued to fall with the home side showing their catching ability with Walker and Stock clinging on to important chances.

Murphy with 4-37, Dave Pyne (1-26) and Walker (1-36) claimed the remaining wickets to record a hard fought 32-run win leaving losing skipper Mick Banks to reflect on another game that had got away when victory was well within his side's grasp.

Elsewhere, Campden inflicted more misery on the Exhall club as they won by two wickets to strengthen their Division Two title chances after defeats for Wellesbourne and Bretforton.

Kineton and Twyning continue to dominate in Division One, while Overbury's win and defeat for Mickleton left the former firmly in the third division driving seat.