MP SPORTS CHERWELL LEAGUE

Division 1

LEADERS Oxford Downs scored ten runs from the final over of the day to beat Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts by four wickets in a dramatic finish.

Pablo Mukherjee (52), Tim Rattigan (47) and Ayaz Khan (34) laid the platform in Nondies’ innings, before a late assault by Andrew Brown (34no) and James Green (31no) took them to 222-6.

Downs raced to 174-2, with Tim Sutton (77) and Andrew Buckingham (65) stroking the ball around with ease.

But Khan (4-46) stemmed the flow of runs to such an extent that a draw seemed likely until the thrilling finale, which went down to the last ball.

Nondies were penalised one point for their slow over rate.

Nondies 9pts, Oxford Downs 25

Second-placed Shipton-under-Wychwood pulled off an unlikely run chase at Buckingham Town to make themselves favourites for the title.

Shipton, who have by far the easiest run-in of the championship contenders, were up against it when Town amassed 266-7 thanks to Ashley Pearson (89) and Jonny Cater (59).

The visitors fought back through Tim Senior, who was out one short of his ton, before Craig Wood (60no) saw them to 267-6 and a four-wicket win.

Buckingham Tn 11, Shipton 25

George Munsey smashed seven sixes and 11 fours on his way to 112 for Cumnor against Oxford 2nd.

He added 176 for the fourth wicket with Adam Cook (69) as the home side recovered from a stuttering start to reach 250-8 from their 53 overs.

Oxford also started slowly before recovering through Aaron Huish (60) and Chris Sandbach (55), but fell well short on 185-6.

Cumnor 17, Oxford 2nd 6

Andy Harris (4-21), Matt Taylor (3-16) and Liam Manley (3-34) were all too good for the Bletchley Town batsmen, who were dismissed by Great & Little Tew for a meagre 75.

Tew took their time over the run chase, reaching 79-4 at the end of the 24th over.

Gt & L Tew 25, Bletchley Town 4

Lee Selfe claimed 5-37 as Leighton Buzzard Town bowled out Bourton Vale for 146.

Only Howard Keeling (37) and Nick Anderson (30) of the home batsmen put up much of a fight.

Openers Tom Light (42) and Chris Thompson (61no) then saw Town to 147-1 inside 31 overs.

L Buzzard Tn 25, Bourton Vale 3