CHERWELL LEAGUE

Division 2

NEWLY-promoted Oxford Downs 2nd clung on for a draw at home to Aston Rowant 2nd in their first match in the second tier.

Rowant posted 222-9 through Paul Plumridge (62), Tom Needham (60) and Adam Muttit (34), while Kirk Steel (3-36) did all he could to stem the flow of runs.

Jak Soppit then hit 48, Will Watts 42 and George Sandbach 32 to give Downs an outside chance.

But Tim Foster’s 5-60 put Rowant in command and the hosts only just staved off defeat on 199-9.

Oxford Downs 2nd 9pts, Aston Rowant 2nd 19

Challow & Childrey made the 55-mile trip to Long Marston, but were soon on their way home again after collapsing to 67 all out.

Marston stalwart Pete Toovey took 6-33 as Challow’s innings spanned only 22.2 overs.

The home side then patiently compiled the required runs for the loss of a solitary wicket, with Matthew Wareham 33 not out when the match ended.

Long Marston 25, Challow & Childrey 1

Sandford St Martin crawled to 125-8 from 47 overs to avert defeat at Oxford 2nd, who are seeking to bounce back to Division 1 at the first attempt.

Richard Beer’s unbeaten 55 was the highlight of the home side’s 176-9. Jack Stimpson finished with 3-7.

Chris Thompson (4-59) put Oxford in command, but could not quite finish the job as Sandford hung on.

Oxford 2nd 17, Sandford St Martin 5

No play was possible in the match between Twyford and Tiddington, or in Wolverton Town’s clash with Abingdon Vale. Each side receive six points.

Twyford 6, Tiddington 6

Wolverton Town 6, Abingdon Vale 6