PROMOTED Bretforton started their Cotswold Hills League Premier Division season with a five-wicket home defeat to Norton Lindsey and Wolverton.

Paul Jones top scored with 44 in Bret’s 185 all out from 41.3 overs with skipper Luke Richardson and Dan Lamb dismissed in the 20s.

Away opener Gavin Shephard got the reply off to a fine start with 51 and Stuart Shephard added 46 before Conor Green (22 not out) and Steven Rushton (19no) guided Norton home.

Lamb took 3-44 from 10 overs.

Exhall and Wixford thrashed Overbury by 172 runs after skittling them for 54 in reply to 226 all out.

Opener Craig Atherton hit five sixes in his 80 before Tom Burgess claimed 5-12 from six overs.

Ashton-under-Hill beat Winchcombe by 60 runs in Division One after dismissing their hosts for 115 in reply to 175 all out.

Captain Jack Perks scored 60 for Ashton with Freddie Drysdale taking 4-30 for Winchcombe.

Matt Wakefield was the visitors’ bowling hero with 6-25 from seven overs.

Elmley Castle edged past Rowington by two wickets in a low-scoring thriller.

Will Bailey (29) top scored as Castle were dismissed for 94 with Sam Turrell taking 5-15.

Skipper Turrell managed 44 in reply but Rowington collapsed to 92 all out thanks to Tom Attwood (4-34), Bailey (3-14) and Matt Ormerod (3-34).

Badsey won by six wickets at Temple Grafton in Division Two after scoring 147-4 in reply to 143 all out.

Mike Powell claimed 4-19 as Liam Killian (55) starred with the bat for Temple Grafton.

Marcus Humpston (79no) saw Badsey home in 32 overs.

The Lenches beat Long Itchington by seven wickets in Division Three.

Gordon Smith carried his bat with 91no as the hosts won with 170-3 in reply to 169-8.

Broadway lost at Stanway by three wickets after falling to 112 all out.

Jamie Powell did his best for Broadway with 75no as Ed Fowler claimed 5-31 in 10 overs.

Darren Haines (37no) and Joe Large (24no) led Stanway over the line on 115-7.