DESPITE an amazing last-wicket century partnership between Matt Woods and Harry Sutton, Oxford Downs lost by 51 runs at home to Cumnor in Cherwell League Division 1.

The pair came together with Downs in dire straits at 105-9 in reply to Cumnor’s impressive score of 264-9.

Woods (48) and Sutton (45no) put on 108 for the tenth wicket as Downs were bowled out for 213.

The early Downs batting had fallen foul of youngster Sam Powell, who took a hat-trick, removing Will Watts, George Sandbach and Amin Rafiq in successive deliveries to leave them on 33-5.

Despite the late heroics, there was no way back from that.

Cumnor had got off to an excellent start as openers Will Bull (46) and Jimmy Lee (39) shared a quickfire partnership of 83.

A mid-innings wobble saw Cumnor reduced to 178-7, but tailender Max Mannering added some late impetus with 48 as Cumnor reached 264-9 from their 50 overs.

Chris Thompson had a fine all-round performance to help Sandford St Martin to a 43-run victory at home to Great & Little Tew 2nd in Division 2.

Thompson top-scored with 56 in Sandford’s 241 all out, Jamie King taking 4-55.

Tew then fell to 198 all out in their reply as the Sandford skipper claimed 4-17.

Wes Bartlett fell just short of a second successive century for Oxford Downs 2nd as they beat hosts Banbury 3rd by 96 runs in Division 3.

Opener Bartlett who scored 181 not out the previous week, hit 94 as Downs rattled up 281-6 in their 50 overs.

Neil Megson was once again in dogged form for Banbury, top-scoring with 30, but his side were bowled out for 185 in the 48th over, Jonny Meardon taking 3-33.

Minster Lovell marched on at the top of Division 4 with a three-wicket win at Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd.

The hosts, who were out in to bat, proceeded to 226-6 in 53 overs as Paul Hemming, hitting an excellent 80 not out.

Minster were struggling at 20-3 at one stage, but 64 from Eddie Dunn, 44 from James Merriman and 38 from Connor Tinsley saw them reach 228-7 with just over two overs to spare.

A resolute Witney Mills denied Horspath 3rd victory.

George Horsley top-scored with 32 not out to help Horspath to 206-7 in their 53 overs.

Sam Buckfield scored 48 in Mills’s reply, which closed on 168-8.

Sandford St Martin 2nd’s bowlers suffered at the hands of Bilal Afzal, who score an incredible 225 not out for Twyford 2nd in Division 6.

Afzal’s scintillating knock allowed Twyford to declare on 340-3 after 48 overs. Sandford replied with 193-7, Colin Simpson hitting 81.

Great & Little Tew 3rd and Banbury 4th drew with the scores level in a thriller.

Banbury posted 182-6 in their 53 overs, Steve Partington striking 93.

Tew went into the final over with all results possible, thanks largely to Sam Barnes’s 81 not out. But they finished on 182-9.