OXFORD Downs closed in on the Cherwell League Division 2 title after a thrilling one-wicket victory at Challow & Childrey on Saturday.

After restricting their hosts to 199-7 in 53 overs, Downs edged home with just over two overs to spare as No 11 Jonny Meardon hit the winning boundary.

Challow’s innings was dominated by opener John Pechey, who defied everything the Downs attack could send down, finishing with an outstanding 109 from 185 balls.

The only other Challow batsman to really get going was Mark Foster (36) who shared a 76-run partnership with Pechey for the fourth wicket.

Downs made the perfect start to their reply as youngster Alex Ling (54) and George Sandbach (50) put on 107 for the first wicket.

But wickets started to tumble, with George Trewby taking 4-62 and Ryan Gordon 3-14.

With the last pair at the crease, Meardon hit a match-winning four with 13 balls to spare.

Sandford St Martin continued their good form as they eased past bottom side Wolverton Town by six wickets.

Daniel Jason Smith took 4-29 and Simon Smith 3-39 as Wolverton were bowled out for 147, and then Henry Portman hit 55 not out to lead Sandford home at 148-4.

Great & Little Tew 2nd eased to a seven-wicket win at Buckingham Town 2nd.

They restricted their hosts to just 183-7 in their 53 overs, and then, led by Will Price (73) and Robbie Catling (72), Tew cruised to victory at 187-3 with more than 13 overs to spare.

Veteran bowler Steve Roberts took outstanding figures of 7-38 as Oxford Downs 2nd won their Division 3 basement battle with visitors Tiddington 2nd by 111 runs.

Youngster Freddie Smith was in top form for Downs, making 59 off 81 balls to steer his side to 182 all out.

Roberts led the way when Downs took to the field as Tiddington were shot out for just 71, only three batsman making double figures.

Tim Senior’s 100 not out led struggling Shipton 2nd to an eight-wicket victory at home to Banbury 3rd.

Alex Glastonbury’s 67 helped Banbury to 169 all out, Paul Hemming claiming 4-28 and Jason Hunt 3-37.

Senior then blasted his century from just 76 balls to steer Shipton to victory, his knock containing 19 fours and two sixes.

Adam Mayho’s 80 was in vain for Witney Mills, who had to settle for a draw at home to Brackley in Division 4.

Mayho led Mills to 210 all out, Keith Cartwright taking 5-18.

Liam Hare claimed 4-35 and Sam Haselgrove 3-46 in Brackley’s reply, but they finished short on 195-9 as Mills failed to prise out the final wicket.

Great & Little Tew 3rd were on the receiving end of a great spell from Aston Rowant 3rd’s bowler Tim Foster as they lost by five wickets in Division 6.

Foster’s haul of 6-36 restricted Tew to 156 all out, Alex Chapman chipping in with 3-29.

Rowant then reached 157-5 as Leigh Lewis hit 69 not out.

In Division 7, Ben Richardson’s 51 was the only highlight in Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd’s 107 all out against Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd, who cruised in at 110-3.

Great & Little Tew lost by three wickets at home to Abingdon Vale 3rd in Division 8.

James Babbage top-scored with 56 not out as Tew posted 203-7 in their 45 overs.

Young Zach Lion-Cachet (40) and Tom Guntrip (35no) then led the way for Vale as they reached 204-7 in the 42nd over.