SEVEN points separate the top six sides in Division One of the Cotswold Hills League supported by John Shepherd Estate Agents.

First defeats of the season for Norton Lindsey and Winchcombe sees the former still at the summit but with only a two-point advantage over Ashton.

Andy Pickles didn't do Ashton any favours with an unbeaten knock of 96 that helped visitors Bidford recover from 4-2 to 214-8 at the end of their 45 overs.

After the loss of an early wicket, Rich Cooper and Tom Archer (53) added 76 paving the way for Paresh Patel and Dave Turner to continue the victory chase that was completed with ten balls and five wickets to spare by Bidford old boy John Rogers and Dave Hearing.

Overhauling

Wellesbourne had just two wickets in hand when overhauling Norton Lindsey's 218-8, while fifth in the table Bretforton had Paul Jones to thank for victory at Stratford who had been dismissed for 147.

The all-rounder almost single-handedly guided the hosts to victory with an unbeaten 87 after earlier taking 2-21.

Alex Evans (4-20) was the pick of the bowlers and he was at the wicket with Jones when the winning runs were scored.

Keith Mitchell scored more than half the runs for Bretforton's second string who recorded a 19-run win over Blockley who lost for the first time.

Warwick CC Staff are fourth in Division One after their comfortable 93-run success over Winchcombe, while the clash between the bottom pair ended in a 13-run triumph for Henley at Ebrington.

The leading trio in the Premier Division have opened up a 13-point gap, while top of the table Exhall's nine-wicket romp at Tanworth leaves them ten clear of reigning champions Overbury who easily ousted Twyning who were shot out for 57.

Earlswood are in third after inflicting more misery on winless Alcester and Ragley, while two recent champions, Shipston and Stratford Bards both collected wins to remain on the fringe of the top three.

Shipston was the place to be for runs in the second division but it was the home side's bowlers who were on the wrong end of a real mauling after Elmley Castle blasted their way to an amazing 371-5.

Neil Cooper led the way with 104 not out, while Craig Sheward (56), Dave Wheatley (64) and Simon Cooper (80) joined n the run feast.

Only three more wickets fell after tea when bottom of the table Shipston's reply of 205-3, that included 69 from Neil Harper, took the day's run tally to 576.

Catherine-de-Barnes top the table after a 52-run win over Kineton, while Norton Lindsey's win over Exhall leaves them in joint second alongside the former leaders.

Long Itchington's fourth stra-ight win in Division Three leaves them 22 points clear of Leam-ington with the top two defeating Wellesbourne and Earlswood respectively.

Temple Grafton top Division Four after a five-wicket win at Woodbourne on an afternoon when previous leaders Harving-ton crashed by 45 runs at Twyning.

Julian Wain's century was all in vain as Bidford crashed by nine wickets to fourth-placed Alcester and Ragley.

Dave Prudden was another centurion as the Fladbury opening batsman was undefeated on 102 as his side easily overcame Dorridge.

Nick Mytton chipped in with 56 not out in the fifth division away side's total of 232-3 that proved 62 too many for the hosts after Will Wade (4-47) ripped out the top four batsmen.

Dave Hudson-Wood hit a half-century as Ashton recovered from 58-3 to overtake Kineton's 132 without further mishap.

Cookhill boast a 29 points advantage at the top of the Division Six standings after a six-wicket win at Alvechurch.

Evesham moved fourth on the strength of a ten-wicket defeat of Kenilworth Wardens.