Aston Rowant moved off the bottom of Division 2 after beating Great & Little Tew by 71 runs to record their first win of the season.

A third-wicket partnership of 134 between Tim Morgan (85) and Josh Smith (77) was key to their success, before Dominic Whatman’s 4-44 helped get the visitors off the mark.

Tew, who won their opening three matches, have now suffered back-to-back defeats and drop to third.

After choosing to bat first, Richard Cook and Andrew Tolson fell cheaply as Rowant slumped to 37-2.

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But Morgan and Smith then produced a match-winning partnership.

Morgan was the third wicket to fall, his 85 coming from 149 balls, with seven fours.

After Wes Morrick, on his first appearance in the league this season, and Chris Watling also departed, Smith was the sixth wicket out.

The captain’s 77 came off 75 deliveries and contained seven fours and two sixes.

The visitors closed on 255-8 off their 50 overs, and soon had hosts Tew on the back foot – Morrick accounting for in-form Joe White, caught by Smith for a duck.

Matt Clark was caught by Dan Matthews off Tom Needham’s bowling, before Whatman claimed his first wicket, bowling Harry Smith.

Whatman then accounted for Martin Coetzee and Curtly Slatter in quick succession to leave Tew up against it at 67-5.

Although the tail tried to wag, Joe Thomas, Tew’s No 10, was caught by Cook off Needham for 39 as Rowant wrapped up victory off the first ball of the 42nd over.