Exhall clinch crown as Elmley stay on track

3:00pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

EXHALL and Wixford clinched the Premier Division title in the Cotswold Hills League with a tremendous display at Earlswood on Saturday.

The 2005 champions regained their crown after a 72-run success that was built around an opening stand of 144 between Simon Hollands and Matt Gwynn.

Skipper Hollands was first out for 68 while his vice-captain fell seven runs short of a century as the visitors totalled an impressive 254-6 on a tricky wicket.

The wicket had dried out considerably when Earlswood batted but the Exhall bowlers produced a fine display and the chasers were dismissed for 182.

Fitting It was fitting that the final wicket should fall to Aussie Chris Prescott who has played a huge part in Exhall's title triumph.

Andy Marsh boasted the best figures of 3-49 with Prescott, Gwynn, Steve Keen and Jon Simpson all sharing in the success.

Closest rivals and reigning champions Bretforton maintained second spot after a 61-run win at Stratford Bards.

The visitors totalled 201 in their 45 overs with Stuart Berry top scoring with 62.

Missing three experienced bow-lers, Bretforton had to turn to their youngsters and they didn't let them down. Jack Dell took 4-21 from seven overs to be the pick of an attack that also saw spinner Alex Evans take 2-29 from his ten overs as Bards were dismissed for 140.

Bretforton's second string defeated Winchcombe by nine wickets to clinch the Division Four title after a shock defeat for only rivals Bearley at Norton Lindsey.

Harvington will finish in third after a 119-run defeat of Tanworth after Simon Price's unbeaten 107 helped the hosts rattle up an imposing 241-3.

Steve McKelvie then took four wickets in a superb ten-over spell on an afternoon when five bowlers helped restrict the visitors to 122-8 in 45 overs.

There promises to be a thrilling finish to action in the second division where Stratford and Elmley Castle will fight it out for top spot in direct opposition.

The former's win over Bidford guaranteed promotion while Elmley's narrow two-wicket defeat of Norton Lindsey all but ended the losing side's hopes while only a strange set of results will deny the villagers a return to the top flight.

Steve Webb was Elmley’s hero as he claimed 5-25 as the visitors were dismissed for 125.

The hosts were staring defeat in the face until Webb (32no) joined Grant Print (27no) at the crease and a superb unbroken eighth wicket partnership ensured a crucial success.

Excellent Chipping Campden's excellent seven-wicket win in pursuit of Temple Grafton's 219-8 came too late to prevent Warwick CC Staff and Rowington ending the season in the top two slots in the second division, while any one of three clubs - Temple Grafton, Winchcombe and FISSC - could join Ebrington in Division Three in 2009.

Blockley blew their chance to lift the third division title when they slumped to 104 all out after dismissing relegated Wellesbourne for 144.

Kenilworth's defeat of Overbury leaves Wardens 12 points adrift with Woodbourne, winners at Exhall and Wixford, a further two points behind in third.

The Lenches and Ashton's second string will contest the second promotion place from Division Five after wins for both clubs - Ashton at home to Alvechurch by five wickets and The Lenches at Kineton.

It's still all to play for in Division Six where a surprise reverse for leaders Catherine-de-Barnes at Mickleton left the way open for Bidford to snatch the title on the last Saturday of the season after a 16-run defeat of Dorridge and Hockley Heath.