ABINGDON Vale 2nd took over at the top of the table following a ruthless eight- wicket victory at sorry Oxford 3rd in Cherwell League Division 5.

Oxford were skittled out for 96, as Vale skipper Matthew Darley claimed 3-15 and paceman Paul Butcher took 3-26.

Youngster Luke Charlesworth then wasted little time in striking 38 not out to steer Vale home to a comfortable at 97-2.

Morning leaders Cumnor 2nd lost by four wickets at Kingston Bagpuize.

They were shot out for 162, with Jonathan Benstead taking 4-20 and Will Woodley 3-49.

Robin Shrimpton (4-59) kept Cumnor in contention, but 40 from Toby Ricks ensured Kingston reached 164-6 to seal victory.

Cropredy 2nd had few problems in seeing off hosts Bledlow Ridge by seven wickets.

Batting first, Ridge posted 177 all out, Matt Dakin hitting 64.

Cropredy needed just 29.2 overs to reach 178-3 to wrap up a convincing win.

Didcot 2nd were hammered by seven wickets at home to Kimble.

After being bowled out for 199, Didcot were no match for the visitors who cruised to 200-3 in the 36th over.

Long Marston 2nd saw off visitors Leighton Buzzard Town 2nd by five wickets.

Batting first, Buzzard set 197 all out, Andy Smith hitting 58 and Rhiann Krynauw 56.

Paul Young (86) and Matthew Wareham (51) then led Marston home at 198-5.

JIM Howe’s spectacular 129 not out and three-wicket haul was in vain as Sandford St Martin 2nd lost by seven wickets at home to Great & Little Tew 3rd in Division 6.
Howe’s brilliant century allowed Sandford to declare on 246-3 after 46 overs.
But this proved to be a somewhat “sporting” declaration as visitors Tew used 49.5 overs to reach 247-3 and wrap up victory, Sam Barnes hitting 72 not out, Jamie Shurmer 61 and Tom Young 52 not out.
Westbury 2nd hammered visitors Cublington 2nd by 223 runs in Division 7 after setting a massive 327 all out.Tom Boardman (56) and Andrew Lees (50) starred in Westbury’s mammoth innings, and then Michael Peyton-Bruhl took 4-27 as Cublington were shot out for only 104 in their reply.In Division 8, leaders Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd enjoyed a four-wicket win at Abingdon Vale 3rd.
Vale set 219-9 in their 45 overs, but Blake Richardson then scored a magnificent 102 to steer Shipton to 220-6.
Alex Kay hit an unbeaten century for Challow & Childrey 3rd to help his side to an eight-wicket win at home to Stokenchurch 2nd.
Stokenchurch posted 187-3 in their 45 overs, Gary Murton hitting 76 not out.
But Kay (101no) and Tommy Rees (59no) then led Challow to 193-2 with more than eight overs to spare.
There were centuries for Twyford 3rd’s Billy Harper and Oxford Downs 3rd’s Tom Gould in a high-scoring draw.
Harper hit 122 in Twyford’s 297-8 dec, before youngster Gould struck 111 in Downs’s reply as they reached 265-8.