Cherwell League

Division 1

HORSPATH survived a scare at home to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts on Saturday to stay top of the Cherwell League.

Nondies had been in trouble, despite the efforts of Shabaz Alam (59) and Sanjay Vinjimoor (37).

But tenth-wicket pair Mark Strong and Nick Duxson added 35 from the final four overs to take their side to 191 all out.

Horspath got off to a flier through Matthew O’Connor (53) before being pegged back to 185-8 by the experienced Strong (6-65).

But Adam Krol (38no) hit two boundaries in the penultimate over to seal a two-wicket win that kept his side on track for the title.

Horspath 25pts, Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 12

Cumnor dropped into the bottom three – which is now a potential relegation place – after suffering a heavy defeat at Great Brickhill, who move up to third.

The visitors’ 155 all out was built around Adam Cook’s 53, while Miles Hammond made 30 and Julian Blackwell bagged 4-35.

Graeme Carter (44) and Garth Davson then steered Brickhill to 159-4 from only 27.5 overs.

Three clubs would face the drop should both Thame Town and Shipton-under-Wychwood come down from Division 2 West of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.

Great Brickhill 25, Cumnor 6

Buckingham Town had the better of Banbury 2nd and so climbed away from the drop zone.

Jason Ell made 46 while Oxfordshire’s record wicket-taker Keith Arnold claimed figures of 4-31 as Town compiled 203-9 from their 53 overs.

Banbury showed little interest in the run chase, with only Ed Phillips (37) making much of a contribution towards their 130-7.

Banbury 2nd 6, Buckingham Town 17

Bottom club Bletchley Town’s fate was all but sealed when they lost by ten runs at home to Leighton Buzzard Town.

They were undone by a fine all-round performance from Jack Kempster, who hit 45 not out in Leighton’s 169 all out and then took 6-45 as Bletchley were dismissed for 159.

James Sprittles (5-83) and James Clark (3-28) bowled well before tea for the home side, but their efforts proved to be in vain.

Bletchley Town 7, Leighton Buzzard Town 25