STRATFORD Bards took an even firmer grip on the race for the Cotswold Hills League championship after brushing aside struggling Bidford.

The losers' plight was worsened at the wrong end of the Premier Division after Overbury's batsmen failed miserably after their bowlers had dismissed Broadway for 149.

Openers Nigel Evans (42) and Tim Morris (45) gave Broadway a fine start but three victims apiece for Paul Gillett and Lee Diamond put the title chasing visitors back in charge.

However, they lost three early wickets and only Ali Munro's 46 threatened to spark a revival with five Broadway bowlers enjoying success.

While Bards were extending their lead at the summit, Shipston and Exhall and Wixford were both continuing their assault to reclaim the title in emphatic manner.

The reigning champions sent Kineton packing for 144 with Jon Walker claiming 3-11 from eight overs and Gary Betteridge 2-37 from his full allocation.

Walker was kept waiting for 23 overs before displaying his all-round ability as Cliff Prinsloo (72no) and Julian Morris (36) added 88 after tea.

Walker added a quickfire 23 but the South African opener was undefeated on 72 at the close after just 28 overs having smacked 11 4s and a six.

Exhall were again among the runs with Matt Gwynn hitting 121 in a total of 279-4 at home to Tanworth-in-Arden.

Fellow opener Chris Oscr-oft scored 61, while captain Simon Hollands rattled up an unbeaten 58.

The visitors made a brave reply with Brooks hitting 51. Townsend fell one short of a half-century and further solid knocks from Brazier (33) and Frosser (38) in a creditable reply of 212-5.

Wellesbourne's improvement continued with a ten-wicket romp at Twyning - a result that leaves Bidford and Kineton facing the drop to be replaced by Alcester and Ragley, Earlswood or More-ton-in-Marsh.

The former were stunned as bottom of the pile Rowington secured a dramatic one wicket win but the chasing pair suffered few problems in maintaining their challenge.

Shaun Quirke again starred with the bat with another fifty in Alcester's 236-8.

Nick Chadbourne then took three early wickets as Rowington slumped to 38-3 and then 140-7.

However, Quirke conceded 72 off nine overs as Jay and Thorne staged a spirited rescue act that was finished off when captain Mark Sly struck the winning single off the third ball of the final over.

Elmley Castle, like Alcester and Earlswood, are keen to regain their top flight status and they had a five-wicket haul from Neal Cooper to thank for a 53-run triumph over Norton Lindsey.

However, it was a different story for the Castle twos, who slumped to an eight-wicket defeat at Long Itchington.

Opener Wheatley's 92 was the mainstay of a disappointing Elmley total of 159-9 before Rawbone's unbeaten 78 hurried the hosts to victory.

Bretforton opener Anthony Clarke carried his bat for a magnificent 108 after Ashton had snapped up four cheap wickets.

Clarke received fabulous support from Ian Maycock (63no) as the villagers closed on 209-4.

Ashton made a fine start thanks to Rose (32) and Cooper (58) but only Banks could reach double figures as Alex Evans (4-23) and Ady Witts (3-34) helped end the chase at 152.

There was double delight for Bretforton as 84 from Brett Woods spurred the club's second string to a 33-run win in the reverse meeting.

Shipston second team skipper Steve Hedderman produced a fine all-round display to lead his side to victory over Stratford.

He grabbed 3-31 as Stratford scored 213 and then smashed a quickfire half-century in a three-wicket win. Matt Corby helped out with a crucial innings of 60 not out as the target was passed with three overs to spare.

Overbury's afternoon worsened as the second team fell 31 runs short of overhauling Harvington's Division Three total of 200-8.

Onens (57), Salter (45) and Wheeler (42) provided the backbone of the visiting side's score that Overbury never really threatened.