A LOW scoring encounter at Exhall saw Shipston inflict an opening day defeat on the reigning Cotswold Hills League - sponsored by Readers and John Shepherd - champions.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Elmley Castle showed their title claws with a 142-run thrashing of Broadway. Newcomer Ben Benzien smashed three successive 6s in a quickfire 37 before four belting catches from Steve Webb helped hasten Broad-way's demise to 99 all out.

Shipston's second string found the task of containing Alcester and Ragley's experienced batsmen a hopeless one Shaun Quirke (90) and Mark Fawthrop (73) added 159 for the first wicket in the Division One contest and a total of 245-4 was always going to be a surefire winner. Dillon Fernando took 5-21 as Shipston were shot out for a meagre 70.

Another relegated side - Ashton-under-Hill - didn't find life at a lower level quite as comfortable.

After Tom Archer and Bob Hawker had helped dismiss Twyning for 112, the Ashton innings collapsed in dramatic fashion after Bob Cooper and Archer had seemingly set them on the way to victory.

Goodwin (5-14) and Booth (4-10) had other ideas and Archer was left stranded unbeaten on 28 as the last seven batsmen could only muster three runs between them in total of 82.

Claverdon managed just a dozen more against Badsey as Paul Reeve (4-27) and Emerson Paul (3-16) helped skittle the hosts for 94.

The visitors lost just one wicket in surging to a nine wicket success.

There was excitement right until the final ball at Catherine de Barnes and Rowington where the respective second and fourth division matches ended with the scores level.

Hockley Heath had the unwanted distinction of recording the day's lowest score as Great Alne shot them out for 43 in the Division Two match, while FISSC were in run-hungry mood in Division Three in a successful pursuit of Bretforton's 206-7.