BIDFORD slipped closer to the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division relegation trap door with a nine-wicket defeat to table-topping Stratford Bards on Saturday.

It was the second reverse on the bounce for the club that is now just three points clear of the drop zone.

After last week's derby defeat to rivals Exhall & Wixford, Bidford misery continued as they were 127 all out. Their opponents then lost just one wicket to claim the easiest of victories.

The stakes get even higher this Saturday when they engage in a crucial relegation dogfight with second-from-bottom Broadway (2pm).

Meanwhile, there was better news for Premier Division rivals Exhall & Wixford who beat Tanworth-in-Arden by 67 runs.

The home side were set a target of 212-5 to chase and finished on 279-4 to claim 17 points which keeps them fourth in the table.

They will look for similar fortunes when they take on Twyning this Saturday (2pm).

Alcester & Ragley suffered a cruel blow to their Division One title ambitions as they lost out to basement boys Rowington by one wicket. The visitors' 236-8 just wasn't enough as Rowington squeezed themselves to victory.

Leaders Great Alne enjoyed a 97-run Division Three victoryover Earlswood II. Setting Earlswood 144-9 to beat, they skittled them all out for 47 to claim 19 points.

Cookhill's (123-9) slide down the Division Six table continued as they lost by seven wickets to Welford-on-Avon (124-3).