BROADWAY and Bidford pulled off amazing escapes on an afternoon when Bretforton, Catherine-de-Barnes, Temple Grafton, Fladbury and Cookhill secured title triumphs.

Last Saturday's final action more than matched what has been a fantastic summer of cricket in the Cotswold Hills League and left clubs toasting their success or drowning their sorrows.

Broadway knew that they had to overcome Shipston's 225-9 when news of Twyning's win over Moreton filtered through and by that time the match was tantalisingly poised.

Andy Beale was the hero with 77 - an innings that left the hosts to score 30 from six overs which they managed with two overs and four wickets to spare and three more points than their relegation rivals.

Massive

Exhall and Wixford lost for only the second time but still had 63 points to spare at the top of the table after centuries from ed Dixon and Sandi Masamgemi carried Stratford Bards to a seven-wicket win in pursuit of a massive 276-5.

Bretforton's Morne Heyneke was another batsman to reach three figures and his 102 helped the first division champions to a flying start in an easy title clinching win over Warwick CC Staff.

The South African also claimed three wickets and capped a great weekend with another century the next day.

Andy Pickles was Bidford's saviour as his 145 not out helped the first division strugglers reach a daunting 295-5 in their bid to avoid relegation.

Chasing Stratford made a gallant effort to help Warwick's cause but it was the Big Meadow men who pulled off a thrilling 29-run success.

Temple Grafton topped the 300-mark in clinching the fourth division crown after another high-scoring clash at Ragley Park.

Long Itchington had 48 runs to spare in seeing off fellow promoted side Leamington in the third division's match of the day, while Fladbury had to settle for a narrow 123-run triumph n sealing top spot in Division Five against Kineton.

Welford's inability to raise a side to visit Blockley left the Cotswolds side to cheer on Claverdon at Cookhill but it ended in disappointment as the visitors were shot out for a meagre 63 after the champions had rattled up a massive 259-2.

Claverdon's five-wicket win at Exhall secured promotion from Division Two but it wasn't sufficient to wrestle the crown from Catherine-de-Barnes whose seven-wicket success over Norton Lindsey proved the championship clincher.