Shipton-under-Wychwood’s slim Cherwell League Division 1 title chances were washed away by rain at Banbury 2nd just as they were bearing down on victory on Saturday.

Horspath were almost out of sight before the weekend, and their win at Buckingham Town and Shipton’s wash-out means the title race is over officially.

Banbury have been struggling of late and could manage only 158-9 from their 53 overs, Chris Thompson top scoring with 41 while left-arm spinner Shaun Miller finished with 4-61.

In reply, Jason Hunt was back to his belligerent best as he hit a rapid half century, ably supported by Joe Barrett (36).

But rain restricted the visitors’ reply to 24 overs, at which point they were 31 runs short of victory on 128-2.

Shipton will now have to focus on the runners-up spot, which would represent a decent return on a season that started slowly.

Banbury should have enough points to stay out of trouble, but their inability to win matches could yet see them sucked into the relegation battle.

Oxford Downs stay in relegation danger after their match with Thame Town was washed out.

Only one side is likely to drop into Division 2, but Downs have to play the top two away from home in their final three matches and are only six points above bottom-club Twyford.

On Saturday, they managed 224-7 from their 53 overs, with James Ellwood (64) and Darryl Woods (48) to the fore.

Sam Lachlan took 4-85 for Thame, whose innings did not start due to heavy rain at tea.

Dinton 2nd smashed the highest score in Division 3 this season, but ended the day with only one point.

Their 252-7 at Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd featured an unbeaten 82 by Dan Ripley, while Joe Cockroft collected 4-62.

But rain prevented any play after tea, and Dinton were deducted five points for failing to provide a scorer.

No play was possible in Sandford St Martin clash with Oxford Downs 2nd, which effectively ended the visitors’ promotion hopes.

In Division 4, Great & Little Tew will have to wait to join Didcot in Division 3 after their match at Buckingham Town 2nd was called off.

Town had tumbled to 109 all out against Lawrence Brock (5-35), and Tew were already 46 without loss from eight overs when rain stopped play.

Matt Warner had hit 94, Dave Pearce was 69 not out and Kingston Bagpuize were 218-5 from 38 overs at Witney Mills when the match had to be abandoned because of the deluge.

In Division 6, Didcot 2nd moved up to third in the league after they beat Sandford St Martin 2nd by 116 runs.

Prasad Kankandandi hit an unbeaten 101 and Viraj Perera struck 82 as Didcot finished their 35.5 overs with 225-1, before Sandford St Martin were all out for 109.

Sam Barnes hit an unbeaten 114 for Great & Little Tew in their Division 7 match against Bicester & North Oxford.

But his efforts were in vain as the match was abandoned with Tew on 223-4.

Joey Edwards hit a ton for Wallingford 2nd in their draw with Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd in Division 8.

Wallingford had reached 190-1 chasing a target of 241, when rain arrived.

In Division 9, Witney Mills 2nd went down to a 76-run defeat against Aston Rowant 4th.

Harry Sheppard (4-35) and Billy Morris (3-26) did the damage for Rowant.