MP Sports Cherwell League

OXFORD Downs’s mini slu-mp appears to be over after they successfully chased Ox-ford 2nd’s score of 234-7.

Mark Sheehan (55) and Wasim Mehmood (46) provided the backbone to Oxford’s effort, while Daryl Johnson conceded exactly 100 runs while claiming his five wickets.

Wes Bartlett then hit 77 and Andrew Buckingham 70 not out as Downs eased to 238-4.

The visitors were docked one point for their slow over rate.

Oxford 2nd 8, Oxford Downs 24

The title aspirations of Shipton-under-Wychwood suffered a blow when they lost by 15 runs at struggling Leighton Buzzard Town.

Chris Thompson (38), Phillip Whatmore (36) and Jack Kempster (35no) all got starts as Town posted 211-6.

Shaun Miller took 3-71 for Shipton and then watched Simon Hole (72) and Steve Bates (35) get the run chase off to a good start.

But Kempster took 3-39 and Lee Selfe 3-47 as Shipton slipped to 196 all out.

Leighton Buzzard Town 25, Shipton-under-Wychwood 6

Joe Shillaker’s 4-35 set leaders Cumnor on their way to victory over Great & Little Tew on a weekend when they and Oxford Downs pulled away from the chasing pack.

Tew started brightly after being asked to bat, but slowed to a crawl against the home side’s spinners before being bowled out for 119, Harry Smith top scoring with 47.

The visitors put Cumnor under pressure after tea, but they were relatively comfortable on 55 without loss. But they lost five wickets, including James Lee for 36, before reaching 120-5.

Cumnor 25pts, Great & Little Tew 6

Division 3

A calamitous collapse by Kingston Bagpuize handed Hanborough their first win since May 15 in Division 3 on Saturday.

Seeking 225 for victory, Bagpuize were 201-3 with Ian Oglesby on 87 and a routine win well within their sights, even though star batsmen Martin Shepherd and Dave Ward were back in the pavilion.

Grant Conquest then removed Oglesby before stand-in home skipper Andy Oliver threw the ball to spinner Ed Willmot.

He responded with four wickets in 3.4 overs to send Kingston spiralling to 219 all out.

The home side’s innings had followed a similar pattern, with the top four all making notable contributions and Simon Smith top-scoring on 71.

But Kingston’s young seamers Damian Wiskin and Matthew Warner then restricted Hanborough to a gettable 224-9.

Hanborough stay in trouble at the foot of the table despite the win, while Kingston lose ground on the three teams above them in the promotion race.

Hanborough 25pts, K Bagpuize 8

Oxford Downs 2nd beat Witney Mills won by two wickets in a real thriller.

Witney were bowled out for 115, but then had Downs in trouble on 78-8 as Pierre Lefort and Craig Evans took four wickets apiece.

But Downs scraped together the winning runs without further loss.

Oxford Downs 2nd 25, Witney Mills 9

Division 2

Sandford St Martin earned a draw at Great Brickhill.

Martin Anson took 5-55 for Sandford, but Brickhill reached 251-9 thanks to Colin Davison (76) and Nick Cadman (63).

Pete Hastings took 5-67 to keep Sandford well behind the required rate, but Thomas Goffe made 60 to help ensure the visitors avoided defeat on 170-8.

Gt Brickhill 19 Sandford St M 7

Division 4

Great & Little Tew 2nd went top after a nine-wicket win at rock bottom Leighton Buzzard Town 2nd.

Josh Garrett took 3-15 and Piers Myatt 3-37 as Town tumbled to 143 all out.

Opener Sammy Licence made 43 before Dave Powles (59no) finished it off.

Gt & L Tew 2nd 25, L Buzzard 2nd 3

Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd hammered Oxford 3rd.

Seamers Marcus Ireland (3-11) and Joe Cockroft (3-45) dismissed Oxford for 94 in 28.2 overs.

Then Ross Barrett hit 42 not out and Paul Jennings 30 as Shipton reached 95-2.

Shipton 2nd 25 Oxford 3rd 2