AMIN Rafiq smashed a brilliant century as Oxford Downs got off to a flying start with a crushing

184-run victory at home to Buckingham Town 2nd in Cherwell League Division 1.

Rafiq finished on 102 not out in a knock containing nine fours and five sixes as Downs racked up a massive 317-3 in their 50 overs.

George Sandbach also hit 72 and James Ellwood 70, while Buckingham had two bowlers removed from the attack after bowling two no balls above waist height.

In reply, Buckingham fell to 133 all out.

Sandford St Martin lost by seven-wickets to newly-promoted Westbury in Division 2.

Steve Dobson (61) saw Sandford to 197-8, Charlie Williams taking 3-32 and Charlie Harper 3-45.

Westbury reached 201-3 in the 41st over, William Gurney hitting 79.

Great & Little Tew 2nd suffered a ten-wicket defeat away to Bicester & North Oxford in Division 3.

Put in to bat, the visitors slumped to 120 all out, with only Sam Barnes (30) and Josh Garrett (24) making any impact.

The home side cruised to 124-0 in the 27th over.

Minster Lovell began life in a higher division with a five-wicket win at home to Horley.

Harry Ebsworth took 3-30 as Horley were dismissed for 151, Dave Eaton top-scoring with 37.

Ollie Mersh then scored a fluent 62 not out, leading them to 152-5 with more than 11 overs to spare.

Charlbury began their life in the league with a 58-run win at East Oxford in Division 4.

The visitors posted 223-9 in their 50 overs as Ben Forrester hit 78.

The hosts then slumped to 165 all out, Stuart Atkins taking 4-27.

Andy Hemming hit a century for Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd in his side’s 60-run victory at home to Long Marston 2nd.

Hemming scored 110 in Shipton’s 194-9.

Spinner Paul Hemming then took 4-30 and Adil Rehman 3-31 as Marston were shot out for 134.

Witney Mills fell to a 23-run defeat at home to Brackley, who posted 240-6.

Ollie Burney scored 36 not out and Mike Dove 30 as Mills were held to 217-9.

Jacob Mayers hammered a brilliant 123 not out as Minster Lovell 2nd thrashed hosts Horley 2nd by 150 runs in Division 6.

He helped the visitors to 250-4, before Horley were restricted to 103-9 in 50 overs.

Eynsham began life in the league with a 107-run win over Banbury 4th.

They were bowled out for just 144, Ben Smitten hitting 48. But Banbury then slumped to 37 all out in reply as Tom Gerken took 4-11 and Sam Hollingshead 4-20.

In Division 8, Ellie Norton took 5-31 to help Charlbury 2nd to a 59-run win against Oxford Downs 3rd.