Martin Coetzee struck a brilliant century, but could not stop Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 2 leaders Great & Little Tew losing by two wickets in a high-scoring encounter at Buckingham on Saturday.

The South African, who has played first-class cricket for South West Districts, scored an aggressive 146 off 132 balls with two sixes and 18 fours as the visitors rattled up 278-5 from their 50 overs.

In a thrilling game, Oxfordshire batsman Jonny Cater saw Buckingham to a twowicket success with just four balls to spare.

After being put in to bat, the platform for Tew’s excellent total was laid by opener Joe White and Coetzee in a second-wicket stand of 141.

After White departed for 62 made from 114 balls with five fours, Coetzee went on the rampage before being fifth out at 256.

Jordan Garrett and Ashley Hubbert added 28 from the last two overs, to give Tew what seemed a winning total.

Simon Myatt (2-43) proved the most effective Buckingham bowler.

The home side’s reply was based around three half-centuries.

Opener Ashley Pearson set the pace with 73 off 96 balls, becoming one of four victims for Joe Thomas (4-34), the only Tew bowler to command respect.

Leigh Tomlinson added 55 from 72 deliveries, before Cater’s rapid unbeaten 62 off 43 balls saw Buckingham to victory.

Despite the result, Tew stay top of the table – now on their own – as close rivals Shiptonunder-Wychwood were beaten by Gerrards Cross.

Buckingham 20pts, Great & Little Tew 9

This Saturday, Tew will look to inflict more misery on bottomplaced side Aston Rowant in an Oxfordshire derby.

Meanwhile, Great & Little Tew face a trip to Cumnor in the Oxfordshire final of the Davidstow Village Cup on Sunday, June 14, after semi-final opponents Oxford Downs gave last year’s beaten finalists a walkover after they were unable to raise a team.