THE leading two teams in Division One of the Cotswold Hills League both crashed to defeat, while the top two in Division Three locked horns in a crucial title tussle.

Exhall and Wixford lost for the first time in the Premier Division to allow Bretforton to reclaim top spot, Blockley replaced Cookhill at the summit of the fifth division but there's no stopping Fladbury who demolished Rowington to extend their advantage in Division Four to a massive 43 points.

Wellesbourne are the new leaders of the first division after they had six wickets to spare when overhauling Ashton's 238-7.

Previous leaders Catherine-de-Barnes also lost for the second time this summer when they were dismissed for 163 in reply to Henley's 226-8.

Comfortable

Alcester and Ragley are up to third after a comfortable six-wicket defeat of Ebrington, while Norton Lindsey are up to second after inflicting a six-wicket defeat of Bidford.

Five Ragley bowlers shared the honours as Ebrington were dismissed for 149 and it was Mark Fawthrop who impressed most with the bat making 78 not out in his side's victory.

The top five clubs are separated by just six points and, with Norton Lindsey facing Alcester and Henley and Bidford meeting, there are bound to be more changes this weekend.

After being hammered by Bretforton the previous weekend, Overbury hit back in fine style to end Exhall's unbeaten record.

Overbury hit an impressive 253-4 and the home side could only manage 217-9 after tea.

Ali Munro (77no) and Paul Gillett (74) were the Overbury stars with the bat, while the dismissals of Matt Gwynn, Simon Hollands, Jon Simpson and Scott Carmichael for a combined total of just 21 runs didn't help Exhall's cause.

Leon Gates hit 65, while Gillett and Walker's 20 overs brought three wickets at a cost of 50 runs.

That result allowed Bretforton to leapfrog their championship rivals after they shot out Winchcombe for 117 on the way to a six-wicket victory.

Jackson Long and Alex Evans both claimed a trio of scalps with the ball before Stuart Berry's fine form continued with 46.

Julian Morris notched up a third century in his last four innings as Shipston defeated Moreton by 79 runs.

The opening batsman hit 104 and shared a stand of 148 for the first wicket with Gary Betteridge who scored 77.

James Hurrell (67) and Matt Gillett (40) gave Moreton a sniff of victory but Betteridge ripped out the middle order with figures of 3-40.

The top trio in Division Two all won leaving Kineton 11 points clear of Warwick CC Staff who lead Elmley Castle by 18.

The latter posted 191-8 against Leamington with James Cawson top scoring with 45.

Cawson then went on to take 3-33 and Simon Corbett 3-25 as Castle won by 100 runs.

Stanway's successful pursuit of Shipston's 206-9 ended the latter's undefeated start while also lifting the winners into top spot. Woodbourne maintained the pressure in third after a three-wicket win over Temple Grafton.

Romped

Fladbury romped to an eighth win after declaring on 345-2 at Rowington who were then dismissed for 160.

Dave Prudden (115no) and Andy Revell added 260 for the third wicket in the club's highest ever score, while Revell's 176 not out was the best ever score by an Englishman just four behind South African Philip Mann's 180.

Opener Barnes hit 69 in reply before becoming one of Will Wade's six victims.

Ashorne are the nearest challengers but Alcester and Ragley suffered a blow to their hopes when they lost by 60 runs at Winchcombe.

Blockley skipper Dan Knight was his side's inspiration in the 113-run defeat of Cotswold rivals Mickleton.

Knight hit 85 in his side's 282-5 that also included 96 from Shaun Williams and an unbeaten 58 from Gilbert.

Stephen Cross then took 4-33 off his ten overs but Knight bettered those figures with 5-27 to complete a profitable all-round afternoon.