A SECOND wet weekend has left cricketers in the Cotswold Hills League, sponsored by John Sheppard Estate Agents, cursing the unpredictable English climate.

At least a couple of matches reached positive conclusions last Saturday after the previous weekend's total washout and clubs will be tuning in to this weekend's forecast with added interest.

Play was only possible at Norton Lindsey and Long Itchington although a quartet of clubs failed to ring in results - or details of abandonments.

The former's third division fixture saw the hosts rattle up 150-7 against Hockley Heath who were shot out for 123 in reply.

Long Itchington moved top of Division Four after dismissing Alcester and Ragley for 111 chasing 185 for victory.

It's not been a good couple of weeks for Evesham's third string, who have already had 20 points deducted from their Division Six total.

The Avon Street club called of their opening game during the week prior to the fixture with Claverdon II on May 1 because they didn't have a wicket available.

However, they sent in the result as a weather cancellation but an appeal saw Evesham deducted 20 points and Claverdon awarded the match.

Broadway look to have unearthed a good find in batsman Richard Jones.

The debutant hit a fine 121, that included ten 4s and nine 6s, as the Premier Division side defeated West Hagley by seven wickets in Sun-day's friendly.

More information on the league, including news from the four junior sections, can be found by logging on to www.cotswold-hills-league.org

There were mixed fortunes for a trio of league clubs in delayed npower Village Cup matches.

Overbury lost by six wickets at Astwood Bank, Bretforton failed by eight runs to overhaul Cutnall Gre-en's total of 92, but Exhall and Wixford made progress when Ansley conceded last Sunday's tie.

Results

Division Two: Stratford v Ashton ; Chipping Campden v Cath-de-Barnes - results not received.

Division Three: Norton Lindsey II 150-7, Hockley Heath 123.

Division Four: Long Itchington 184-7, Alcester II 111.

Division Five: Tanworth II v Bretforton II - result not received.

Division Six: Harvington II v Ashorne & MM - result not received.

All other matches abandoned.

Fixtures for Saturday

Premier Division: Exhall & Wixford v Twyning, Stratford Bards v Welles-bourne, Shipston v Overbury, Alcester & Ragley v Broadway, Bidford v Moreton-in-Marsh.

Division One: Norton Lindsey v Kineton, Earlswood v Tanworth, Winchcombe v Bretforton, Ebrington v Warwick CC, Elmley Castle v Henley-in-Arden.

Division Two: Ashton v Exhall II, Wellesbourne II v Cath-de-Barnes, Campden v Shipston II, FISSC v Rowington, Claverdon v Stratford.

Division Three: Twyning II v Norton Lindsey II, Stanway v Earlswood II, Overbury II v Winchcombe II, Hockley Heath v Great Alne, Bearley v Harvington.

Division Four: Kineton II v Long Itchington, Eckington v Stratford Bards II, Kenilworth Wardens v Leamington, Rowington II v Alcester & Ragley II, Moreton II v Bidford II.

Division Five: Mickleton v Ashton, Tanworth II v Woodbourne, Bretforton II v Temple Grafton, Broadway II v Dorridge, Henley II v Elmley Castle II.

Division Six: Evesham v Ashorne & MM, Cath-de-Barnes II v Welford, Cookhill v Kenilworth Wdns, Alvechurch v Fladbury, Harvington II v Claverdon II.