KINETON provided a brace of shocks as fixtures returned to normal in glorious sunshine after the previous week's washout.

The club's senior side dealt Shipston a huge blow to their hopes of regaining the Cotswold Hills League, sponsored by Readers and John Shepherd, crown Kineton seconds belied their lowly position in Div-ision Four to defeat Kenil-worth Wardens.

Having rattled up 209-7, Kineton's bowlers dismissed Shipston for 132 but their defeat was somewhat compensated by the news from Broadway, where leaders Bidford snatched a dramatic tie.

The hosts lost just three wickets in amassing 223 with Andy Beale (78) and Jim Powell (70no) the main contributors.

Bidford were on course for victory when Macer Nash (50) and Nigel Wilson (45) joined forces for a third wicket stand but a brittle middle order left the visitors staring defeat in the face.

However, Neil Edkins and Darren Barnes embarked on a rescue act and, when the former struck a 6 off the penultimate ball, an unlikely win appeared on the cards but Bidford could only scramble a leg bye off the last ball to force a tie.

The two top sides meet at London Road on Saturday when the current leaders could cement their advantage even further.

Spare a thought for Wellesbourne's Zimbab-wean import, Ian Marillier, who hit a ton against Elmley Castle only for Simon Cooper's unbeaten 70 to guide the visitors to a thrilling two wicket win.

Over at Kineton, the home side totalled 196-7 and then bowled out Kenilworth 20 runs short of their target as Warwick CC Staff strengthened their position at the top with an easy win over Mickleton.

Winchcombe's second string crashed to a seventh straight third division defeat when Stanway proved too strong but it is FISSC, seven straight wins, who hold the aces after a successful run chase at Stratford Bards.

Second division leaders Henley lost for the first time when they could only scrape together 150-9 in response to Chipping Campden's 186-7.

A sixth straight win leaves Twyning on top in Division Five - hapless Eckington were skittled for 49 having restricted their hosts to 143-9.

Alcester and Ragley's second team skipper, Paul Hedges, was another to hit a century and end up on the losing side.

The opening batsman scored 123 against Tanworth who were indebted to an opening stand of 112 between Preedy (55) and Moffat (53) for their excellent 205-7.

Tanworth then held some good catches and only Hedges stood between them and an even bigger margin of victory as Alcester were dismissed for 179. Mahler snapped up 4-25.

Alcester's first team returned to Ragley Park, thanks to the Marquess of Hertford and his staff, and they celebrated in style with a ten-wicket romp against Tanworth.

Tanworth could only manage 136-8 in the wake of good bowling spells from Matt Greenway and Dillon Fernando.

There was little relief for the visitors after tea as Mark Chadbourne with an unbeaten 97 joined Shaun Quirke in an unbroken opening stand to register an emphatic ten-wicket win.