A convincing seven-wicket victory over Cove was not enough to save Shipton-under-Wychwood from relegation in their first season in to Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 2 West – and an immediate return to the Cherwell League.

But it was a close-run thing.

At the time of their success, Shipton still harboured hopes of staying up.

But then news came through that Farnham Royal had secured the points they needed for safety at Harefield and Simon Hole’s side knew they were down.

Shipton held the whip hand after winning the toss and reduciing Cove to 20-3.

They recovered to 174 all out, despite three-wickets for veteran spinner Shaun Miller.

Shipton made light work of the target thanks to a sparkling innings from Steve Bates, Hole and Gehan Perera as they got home in the 37th over. Shipton 25pts, Cove 5