BRETFORTON'S run hungry batsmen secured a return to the Premier Division of the Cotswold Hills League.

But, who will join them and who will replace them in the first division won't be decided until this weekend's final fixtures with Winch-combe favourites to book a top flight place and Broadway and Twyning fighting it out to see who drops down with Alcester and Ragley.

Bretforton totalled 270-7 in a 101-run defeat of Henley, while Winch-combe's 62-run win over Norton Lindsey leave the losers with a faint hope of promotion - one that is also shared by Wellesbourne who won by four wickets at relegated Stratford.

Morne Heyneke (76) and Paul Jones (71) were Bretforton's stars with the bat, while the latter completed another profitable all-round afternoon with three wickets.z

Broadway's three-wicket win at Ragley Park lifted them level on points with Tywning who lost by 19 runs at Stratford Bards leaving Saturday's matches at Moreton, where Tywning are the visitors, and at Snowshill Road, where Shipston make the short journey, crucial in the final outcome.

The latter will be gunning for victory in pursuit of runners-up spot after overcoming Tanworth last weekend when champions Exhall, for whom Leon Gates hit 93, successfully chased Overbury's 190-9.

Bards are still in with a chance of second place but must overcome the champions at Alscot Park this weekend to press their claims.

Three sides are in contention in Division Two with Kineton the promotion outsiders behind Catherine-de-Barnes and Claverdon.

Leamington and Long Itchington's promotion was assured weeks ago but Saturday's final fixture when the two lock horns will decide the destiny of the championship.

Temple Grafton's eight-wicket win at Kenilworth confirmed them as champions of Division Four with Woodbourne joining them in the third division next summer.

Finalised

Division Five champions Fladbury lost for the first time at Mickleton but again the top two places are already finalised with Ashorne also on the way up.

Ellis top scored with 55 in Mickleton's 160 a score boosted by 37 from No 8 Lord. The chasers had five batsmen make a start but none could carry their efforts through as Ellis and Powell both snapped up three wickets as Fladbury were dismissed for 132.

The day's top match in Division Six saw leaders Cookhill slump to an alarming reverse at the hands of closest rivals Blockley who are now just two points adrift going into Saturday's last match at home to Welford.

A half-century for Simon Vick and an unbeaten 45 from Matthew Williams-Ellis in a sixth wicket stand helped Blockley total 186-7.

Not one Cookhill batsman was able to reach double figures as three wickets apiece for Cross and Tonge helped set up an intriguing climax.

Welford's recent improvement was brought to an abrupt halt against Evesham who recovered from a poor start to post 162. Will Lloyd top scored with 76 before the villagers struggled against the pace of Richard Pedley and were dismissed for 87.

Pedley grabbed 5-20, including a hat-trick, while Luke Fisher (3-17) was another to shine with the ball.