BOURTON Vale continued their recovery with a second successive West of England Premier Cricket League Gloucester Division win.

The second-from-bottom Cotswold club are now two points off safety after starting the campaign with four straight defeats.

Vale followed up a three-wicket success at Lydney with a four-wicket home win over third-placed Stroud.

Despite facing a daunting 243-7 from 50 overs, the hosts kept their nerve to win with six balls left on 244-6 thanks to opener Jack Galpin (82), Charlie Davies (43) and in-form skipper Rob Langley (40 not out).

Meanwhile, reigning champions Shipston-on-Stour were blown away by Bidford-on-Avon in the Marston’s Pedigree Cotswold Hills League Premier Division.

Promoted Bidford took over at the top after demolishing Shipston’s batting for 74 and claiming a six-wicket success.

Winchcombe picked up a handy Division One win against Kenilworth Wardens thirds by four wickets to move 12 points away from the relegation zone. Edward Huggett hit 66 and Tom Foster 52no.

Leaders Chipping Campden recorded their sixth straight victory in Division Two, striking a major blow in the title race when thrashing main challengers Overbury by 96 runs.

Struggling Moreton-in-Marsh and Ebrington went down to Leek Wootton and Warwick CC Staff respectively, while Blockley gained much-needed Division Four points with a two-wicket triumph over Stoneleigh.

Chipping Norton lead Oxfordshire League Division Two after a nine-wicket thrashing of Garsington, helped by Adam Wallington’s 5-27.

Adlestrop beat mid-table rivals Stow-on-the-Wold by 40 runs in Cotswold District League Division One.