Oxford Downs blew the chance to climb off the foot of Cherwell League Division 1 after going down to an agonising two-run defeat in a low-scoring thriller with Oxford 2nd on Saturday.

Downs were well set when they rolled over the visitors for only 139, with all six bowlers in the wickets.

Joe Claasen’s 30 and the 17 wides proved crucial later as Downs collapsed in disarray following a decent start.

Callum Biel took 3-31 and Claasen 3-34, and two run-outs sealed Downs’ fate as they were all out for 137.

Oxford Downs 7pts, Oxford 2nd 25

Great & Little Tew 2nd went top of Division 3 after thrashing fellow promotion contenders Didcot.

Tew chose to bat and made 191 all out, with Michael Darby (36), Kevin Taylor (33) and Jack Haggett (30) all making starts while Ian Demain took 3-47.

Lawrence Brock then took 4-23 and Josh Garrett 3-20 as the hosts were all out for 98.

Didcot 5, Gt & L Tew 2nd 25

Sandford St Martin were knocked off the top after they drew at home to Dinton 2nd.

Neil Roberts hit 141 as Dinton 2nd racked up 307-7 dec, Tom Goffe taking 3-45.

Sandford then reached 252-5 through Tim Lowe (65) and Colin Simpson (49no).

Dinton were docked five points for failing to provide a scorer.

Sandford St Martin 8, Dinton 2nd 11

Alex Barras took 4-47 for Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd, who dismissed Bletc-hley Town for 151.

Tim Senior then scored 57 and with Jeremy Kirby (37) and Paul Hemming (32) took Shipton to 155-3 in 31.2 overs.

Bletchley Town 5, Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd 25

Oxford Downs 2nd had no answer to Richard Pengelly (5-48) as they succumbed for 99 at Buckingham Town 2nd.

Earlier, the hosts had been held to 155 by Nick Rivett (3-22) and Gus Watts (3-24).

Buckingham Town 2nd 25, Oxford Downs 2nd 5

Witney Mills found Scott Harris too hot to handle as they were crushed by nine wickets at Blewbury & Wall-ingford in Division 4.

He took 7-16 as the visitors were skittled for 59, with Charlie Sutton taking 3-40.

Mark Carey (30no) saw the hosts make 60-1 from 14 overs.

Blewbury & Wallingford 25, Witney Mills 1

Great Tew 3rd hammered Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd by nine wickets in Division 6.

Robby Taylor took 4-47 as Nondies were dismissed for 94, before the hosts strolled to victory at 96-1.

Great & Little Tew 3rd 25, Nondies 2nd -4

Shipton-under-Wych-wood 3rd’s Anthony Prior-Wandsforde took 5-16 to put the skids under Banbury 5th who were all out for 104.

Shipton replied with 107-2 in the Division 8 clash.

Shipton 3rd 25, Banbury 5th 3