MINSTER Lovell clinched promotion to Division 3 at the first attempt after a resounding seven-wicket victory at home to rivals Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd.

The reigning OCA League champions need nine points from this weekend’s final game of the season at Tiddington 2nd to secure the title.

Shipton opted to bat first in the Cherwell League clash, but were quickly on the back foot as Russell Hayes and Ian Harris fell to Leigh Smith and Brian Barrett respectively.

Veteran Jerry Senior quickly followed as the visitors were reduced to 18-3.

And when the experienced Paul Hemming was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Eddie Dunn, Shipton were deep in trouble.

But they steadied the ship, thanks to Luke Champion (32) and Dee Jarvis (33no).

However, no other Shipton player reached double figures as they were bowled out for just 108 in the 45th over.

The visitors knew they would have to make early inroads and they did just that as opener Elliot Graham fell for a duck in the first over, bowled by Chris Panter.

But a quickfire 23 from Ollie Mersh wrested the initiative away from Shipton, and although Panter took two more wickets, the result was never really in doubt.

An unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 62 between Connor Tinsley (39no) and Simpson eased Minster to victory in the 27th over.

They are 16 points clear at the top ahead of this week’s game at Tiddington 2nd, with second-placed Stokenchurch making the trip to Shipton.

Witney Mills’ Sam Cross scored his second century of the season to help his side to a crushing 154-run win at home to relegated Horspath 3rd and keep alive their outside hopes of promotion.

Horspath would have rued putting Mills in to bat as they racked up 257-3 declared in 48 overs.

Cross led the way with a superb 114 and skipper Mike Dove chipped in with 53 not out.

Horspath were never in the hunt, and were dismissed for just 103.

Pierre Lefort took 4-26 and Sam Haselgrove returned 3-26.

In Division 1, Oxford Downs lost by three runs to Cumnor.

Matt Lake hit a superb 101 as Cumnor were bowled out for 206, Tom Costley taking 4-62.

Downs were always in the hunt, helped largely by George Sandbach’s classy 90 from 65 balls, but they fell to 203 all out, Max Mannering taking 3-39.

Great & Little Tew 2nd’s 58-run defeat to local rivals Sandford St Martin all but condemns them to relegation in Division 2.

Sandford were put in by the hosts and were bowled out for 194, Steve Dobson hitting 89 and Mark Robey 59.

Josh Garrett took 4-29 for Tew, who were tumbled out for 136 in their reply as Henry Portman claimed 4-45.

In Division 3, Steve Roberts returned brilliant figures of 7-34 as Oxford Downs 2nd saw off visitors Banbury 3rd by 41 runs.

Downs were all out for 190 as Charan Chahal hit 73 and Chris Phillips took 4-37.

Roberts then starred as Banbury were bowled out for 149.

Sandford St Martin fell to an eight-wicket defeat at Twyford 2nd in Division 6. The visitors, who played with nine men, were bowled out for 67 as Mohammed Fayyaz took 5-21. Twyford then took just 13.3 overs to ease to 68-2.

Minster Lovell 3rd remain second in Division 10 after getting the better of a draw.

Ashley Horne’s 102 not out helped Minster to 268-3, before Bicester & North Oxford 3rd crawled to 91-7 to deny Minster maximum points.