DINTON and Abingdon Vale cricket clubs, among others, can start celebrating after The Oxford Times Cherwell League indicated that two clubs will be promoted from each of the bottom eight divisions following last season's campaign.

The league will confirm the details with the clubs early next week, but it appears certain that Dinton, who finished runners-up in Division 2 last season, will now play in the top flight in 2002.

This follows Division 1 champions Buckingham's acceptance into Home Counties League Division 2 West.

Buckingham and Thames Valley League winners Burnham are going up, while Wolverton are relegated to Cherwell Division 1.

There will be joy, too, for Abingdon, who were pipped by Oxford and Horspath 2nd for the Division 3 title by one point on the last day of the season. These two teams should now be able to resume battle in Division 2 next season.

The position is complicated further down the league with the decision of Moreton-in-Marsh to take their two teams out of the Cherwell and play in a Gloucestershire-based competition instead.

Meanwhile, Henley have been accepted into Division 1 of the Home Counties Premier League, subject to certain assurances about their outfield.

The Thames-side club won Division 2 West by a large margin last season, but one corner of their outfield was bare after winter flooding.

"Henley have been invited to play in Division 1, but we've made certain suggestions about their outfield," said league secretary Roger Garrini. "But we anticipate no problems."

Henley will replace Luton in the top flight, the Bedfordshire club dropping down in to Division 2 East.

But Radlett, who finished second from bottom, are staying in Division 1, because Division 2 East champions Hertford declined to come up.