STEVE Dobson bludgeoned a magnificent 160 as Sandford St Martin claimed an unlikely 35-run victory away to Cherwell League Division 2 pace-setters Horspath 2nd on Saturday.

The home side could have wrapped up the crown with victory, but quickly found themselves with a mountain to climb as Dobson hit 24 fours and four sixes during a superb innings.

It was a truly one-man show from Dobson, with Chris Thompson the second-highest scorer with 42 as the visitors finished on 280 all out in the 45th over.

Chris Thompson then removed openers Joe Todd for 15 and Akheam Fox for 35 as Horspath struggled to match Dobson’s impressive display.

Dominic O’Connor kept the home side on track with 95 – a knock containing 12 fours – while Jehan Mohammed added 43 before he was run out.

After that dismissal, the Horspath lower order fell away cheaply to the bowling of Simon Smith (3-83) and Jim Howe (2-36), who took five wickets between them, as the hosts slipped to 245 all out in the 51st over.

Great & Little Tew 2nd’s last pair denied Oxford Downs victory as they hung on to claim a draw.

Downs had set 229-8 in their 53 overs, Johnny Law top-scoring with 44 not out and Alex Ling hitting 35.

Ian Bryan claimed 4-62 for the visitors.

Regular wickets in Tew’s reply meant they were always up against it, despite 52 from Lloyd Brock and 42 from Robbie Catling.

It was left to Sam Smith and veteran Kev Taylor to cling on at the death as Tew held on at 200-9.

In Division 3, Shipton-underWychwood 3rd went down to a sixwicket defeat at home to high-flying Blewbury & Wallingford.

Scott Harris (5-36) and Charlie Sutton (4-22) combined to skittle the hosts out for just 104, George Townsend hitting 53 not out.

Mark Carey (31) then led Blewbury’s reply as they reached 106-4 to seal victory.

Oxford Downs 2nd plunged into the bottom two after clinging on for a draw at basement boys Dinton 2nd.

Mark Ludlow hammered 108 for Dinton as they racked up 234-9 in their 53 overs, Steve Roberts taking 3-37.

Downs were never really in the hunt in their reply as they closed on 188-8, Tom Welch finishing 47 not out.

Pierre Lefort produced a masterful spell of swing bowling as Witney Mills sent visitors Chearsley to a 97-run defeat in Division 4.

Mike Dove (53), Pete Claridge (51) and Sam Haselgrove (47no) helped Mills set 219-6 in their 53 overs.

Lefort then claimed 6-14 in 9.4 overs as Chearsley were bowled out for 122 in a one-sided match.

Sandford St Martin 2nd were not quite able to match the pace of Division 6 promotion-chasers Didcot 2nd, as they were beaten by 20 runs.

The visitors were all out for 202 in the last over, but thanks to a fine spell from Andy Griffiths (4-50) that proved enough to wrap up victory as Sandford were bowled out for 182 in the 40th over.