Three run outs cost Oxford Downs their second win of the season as their Division 1 clash at Banbury 2nd ended in a dramatic tie.
Amin Rafiq, Tomas King and Johnny Law went to leave Downs on 209 all out replying to Banbury’s 209-9.
The home side’s innings was built around Ed Phillips’ 68 and Will Briggs’ 53.
Wes Bartlett (46) and Will Watts (45) shone for Downs, but Bradley Taylor (3-67) and keen fielding earned Banbury the tie.
Division 3 leaders Great & Little Tew 2nd stole a march on their nearest rivals by thrashing Bletchley Town by 115 runs, while Sandford St Martin could only manage a draw.
Hosts Tew made 224-9 declared from 43 overs. Robbie Catling (42), Tom Young (37) and Robbie Shurmer (35) were the main contributors, while Sam Newman took 5-49.
Town were rolled over for 109 by Shurmer (4-35) and Jack Belmont (3-22), and were docked five points for not having a scorer.
Sandford St Martin elected to field and then allowed Bicester & North Oxford to make 260-6.
Nick Moorman made 88 while Daniel Murphy and Richard Simpson added 61 apiece.
Chris Thompson (72) and Tim Lowe (70) kept things interesting, but Kishan Dave took 5-34 to leave Sandford on 239-8.
Steve Bates hit a majestic 147 from 149 balls as Shipton-under-Wych-wood 2nd crushed visitors Banbury 3rd by eight wickets.
Banbury would have been happy enough after Alistair Martin (72no) and Jordan Helps (46) took them to 203-5.
But Bates and Jeremy Kirby (36no) added 139 for the first wicket as Shipton raced to 206-2.
Oxford Downs 2nd were awarded a home win against Dinton 2nd after the visitors forfeited the game.
Witney Mills triumphed by 15 runs in a topsy-turvy affair with Chea-rsley in Division 4.
Adam Mayho hit 96 to rescue Mills from a bad start and take them to 226-9.
Chearsley reached 140-1 thanks to William Saurey-Cookson (77) and Neil Davies (67), before spinners Sam Haselgrove (5-76) and Steve Kelly (3-44) saw them crash to 211 all out.
Sandford St Martin 2nd made hay at home to Abingdon Vale 3rd in Division 7, but couldn’t force the victory despite clocking up a mammoth 278-3.
Mark Cook was the star with 124. In reply, Vale finished on 156-8.
Den Harvey took 5-17 for Witney Mills 2nd as Bledlow Village 3rd were shot out for 66 in Division 9.
Mills eased their way to success with 67-2.
In the same section, Shipton-under-Wychwood 4th were dismissed for 100 as they were crushed by 116 runs at Aston Rowant 4th.
Billy Morris took 5-6 as Shipton chased a total of 216-6.
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