THE two big guns in the premier Division of the Cotswold Hills league were firing on all cylinders last weekend with last season's finishing positions still reversed.

Exhall and Wixford take a ten-point cushion into a series of matches against the three sides immediately beneath them but with their key men on song.

Paceman Steve Kerby grabbed 4-10 as Broadway could only muster 144-9 mainly thanks to 47 from Hunt and Jamie Powell's typically hard hit 33 that included 26 off one John Park over.

The visitors' reply was dominated by skipper Simon Hollands who made light work of a tricky track to rattle 83 not out and share an opening stand of 122 with Matt Gwynn.

Second-placed Overbury inflicted more misery on winless Alcester and Ragley after amassing a daunting 313-8 at Ragley Park where Jon Gregory hit 110.

Howard Bentham was a solitary run short of reaching three figures for Shipston when the overs ran out against Twyning. However, his efforts helped the London Roaders reach 232-4 that proved far too many for the visitors for whom Richard Surman's 54 was the sole highlight after tea.

Catherine-de-Barnes was the place to be for runs as the sixth division match against Blockley saw the bowlers suffer all afternoon as 539 runs were scored for the loss of 13 wickets.

The visitors lost just four as they leapt into second place behind unbeaten Cookhill with Shaun Williams (88), Dan Knight (60) and Mitchell (75) helping the Sparmoor men reach 269-4.

Fladbury have opened up a 26-point lead in the fifth division after a fine win against Ashton who appeared set for a comfortable victory when standing at 135-3 in pursuit of the home side's 177-9.

However, three wickets apiece for Revell and Holyland instigated a fantastic Fladbury fightback and Mickleton's 63-run reverse at Eckington leaves the leaders clear at the summit.

Opener Russell hit 71 in Eckington's 209-9 a total that was boosted by an unbeaten 69 from No 8 batsmen Crowley.

Ashton's first team lie joint second in Division One with Bretforton five points adrift of Norton Lindsey who easily overcame Bidford.

A stand of 114 between Richard Cooper and Tom Archer, who both hit 77, helped Ashton reach 285-5 against Stratford who replied with 188-8 with Will Archer's 4-37 a key factor in his side's victory.

Ady Witts top scored with 78 as Bretforton posted 229-6 against Winchcombe who had no answer to the bowling wiles of Paul Jones and Mark Heyneke who both took five wickets.

Elmley Castle's Dave Wheatley hit a century but finished up on the losing side at Claverdon who lie second in the second division nine points behind Catherine-de-Barnes.

The Castle second team gifted Henley a massive 68 extras in the Division Five contest and a spell of 5-55 from Emms couldn't inspire the hosts who were shot out for 144 in search of 259 for victory.

Long Itchington continue to blaze a winning trail in Division Three as a sixth successive win leaves the leaders 26 points clear of Leamington. The leaders' latest victims were Earlswood while Leamington proved too strong for FISSC.

Leading pair in the fourth division, Temple Grafton and Woodbourne, both registered comfortable wins - the former by a mammoth 200 runs at Bidford.