LEADERS Oxford Downs remain at the top of Division 2 after edging to a thrilling one-wicket victory with a ball to spare against Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts.
Nondies’ Chris Day hit 55 and Atif Ali 32 in the home side’s 202 all out in the Cherwell League clash, Nick Rivett taking 3-43.
Captain Wasim Mehmood (31) led Downs’s reply, as they squeezed home at 203-9.
Great & Little Tew 2nd suffered a six-wicket defeat to second-placed Abingdon Vale, who kept up the pressure on Downs.
Henry Pickford (3-25) and Joe Butcher (3-50) combined to skittle Tew for just 98, before Ben Charlesworth hit 46 and Butcher 37 to see Vale home at 101-4.
Sandford St Martin fell to a 37-run defeat at Buckingham Town 2nd.
Steve Brunning (95) and Brandon Lee (60) helped Buckingham to 226-7 in 48 overs, Philip Nicholas taking 5-42 for Sandford.
The visitors were all out for 189 in reply, despite 52 from Chris Thompson and 51 from Henry Portman, Dominic Pritchard claiming 5-56.
In Division 3, Wes Bartlett fell four runs short of a century as Oxford Downs 2nd picked up useful points in a draw at home to high-flying Horley.
Bartlett’s 96, plus 48 from Frankie Crouch, helped Downs set 231-5 in their 51 overs in a rain-affected match.
Adam Webb (55) and Dave Clark (53no) shone in Horley’s reply, but they lost regular wickets to close on 182-8, Jonny Meardon claiming 3-42.
Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd dropped into the relegation zone as they had to cling on for a draw at home to Cublington.
Pip Webb hammered 107 and Will Rodnight 53 as Cublington posted 254 all out, Tom Swann taking 4-67.
Shipton were never in the hunt, closing on 155-8 as Rodnight took 4-47.
In Division 9 South, 13-year-old Freddie Smith top-scored with 49 to help Oxford Downs 3rd to a 79-run win at Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 3rd.
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