GEORGE French was the star of the show for Minster Lovell as they continued their march towards the Division 4 title with a crushing nine-wicket victory at home to local rivals Witney Mills.

At 37-5 after being put in to bat, Mills were staring down the barrel, and their lower order subsided to 88 all out.

French finished with outstanding figures of 5-37 from 15 overs.

A quickfire opening partnership of 50 between Ebsworth and Elliot Graham (61no) helped the hosts to cruise home in just 14 overs, leaving them 17 points clear at the top of the table.

Sandford St Martin upset title-chasing Bledlow Village by one wicket in Division 2.

The home side were bowled out for 224, Olly Woodward hitting 71 and Matthew Bolton 61.

Will Woodward then took 7-57 for Bledlow, but, helped by Kris Jones (65) and Jim Howe (51), Sandford edged home at 225-9.

Great & Little Tew 2nd lost by 24 runs on the DLS method at Leighton Buzzard Town.

In a match badly-affected by the rain, Buzzard posted 154-6 in 30 overs, Ollie Price taking 4-17.

Tew were then restricted to just 130-9 as they struggled to master the damp conditions.

Oxford Downs 2nd all but secured their Division 3 status as they beat hosts Great Brickhill 2nd by two runs in a thrilling shortened clash. Downs set 137-5 in their 30 overs as Darryl Woods hit 48 and Paddy Daniel an unbeaten 34.

Brickhill were always in the hunt, but were bowled out off the last ball for 135, with Rachel Potter returning figures of 3-22.

Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd had to settle for a draw at home to Thame Town 2nd in a rain-affected Division 4 clash.

Shipton set 198-7 in their 48 overs, Jamie Nelson hitting 45 and Tom Swann 38.

Dan Patey struck 52 in Thame’s reply, while veteran spinner Paul Hemming took 4-49.

But the visitors were left clinging on at 160-8.

Christopher Lamb’s 6-72 was in vain for Sandford St Martin 2nd, who lost by 109 runs at home to Banbury 4th in Division 6.

Steve Partington hit 58 as Banbury set 222-6 before taking 4-9 as Sandford were all out for 113 in reply.