Oxford Downs consolidated their position at the top of Division One of the MP Sports Cherwell League with a four wicket victory at Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts on Saturday.
The home side made 22-6 in their innings with Pablo Mukherjee (52) and Tim Rattigan (47) getting things rolling before Andrew Brown (34 no) and James Green (31 no) came in to rattle off some quickfire runs at the death. But Tim Sutton (77) and Andrew Buckingham (65) helped Downs to victory in the final over despite Ayaz Khan taking 3-46.
Title hopefuls Shipton-under-Wychwood chased down a target of 266 to earn an away win at Buckingham and keep their championship dream alive. Ashley Pearson (89) and Johnny Cater (59) looked to have put Buckingham in control but Tim Senior led the Shipton response, failing one run short of his century, while Craig Wood finished 60 not out as Shipton finished on 267-6.
Winey Mills and Kingston Bagpuize enjoyed a high-scoring draw in Division Three, which visitors Kingston narrowly edged. Oliver Young (64) and Dave Ward (43) helped Kingston to an imposing target of 242-7 but second bottom Witney were not to be denied and Will Sterio (76) and Craig Evans (43) saw them to safety despite a good bowling performance from Kingston's Ben Jefferies, who took 4-94.
Minster Lovell lost heavily to Shrivenham with a nine wicket defeat in OCA Division One. Batting first, Minster Lovell made just 84 with Scott Valentine (4-20), Adam Tucker (3-27) and Ernie Howe (3-24) running through the home side. Tucker (48) was the only wicket to fall for Shrivenham, with Shaz Khan finishing on 33 no as they reached 87-1 with ease.
Oxford Caribbean got the better of hosts Freeland in Division Two, winning by 176 runs. An unbeaten 110 from Richard Burton helped set up victory for the visitors, who finished on 292-6 after good work support from Brian Barett (44) and Nigel George (40). Freeland could only manage 116 in reply, with Les Hole top scoring with 31 as Burton chipped in with the ball, taking 3-22 from five overs in an excellent game for him.
Faringdon condemned Witney Swifts to another 10-wicket defeat, bowling the visitors out for a paltry 101 with Richard Marlow taking 4-10. Witney, who have yet to record a victory this season, weren't able to offer any resistance with the ball and openers Ian Mcdowall (40) and Dave James (52) knocked off the runs to seal a very comfortable victory.
