BANBURY Twenty closed to within two points of top spot after romping to an eight-wicket victory at Oxford Downs in Division 1 on Saturday.

Aussie Andrew Grubich claimed 5-56 as Downs were skittled for 169, despite 80 from Chris Sandbach. Luke List had to retire hurt with a broken thumb.

Mark Haupt starred with 85 not out in Twenty's reply, with John Wright (33) offering good support.

Oxford Downs 9pts, Banbury XX 30

Aston Rowant slipped from first to fourth thanks to a frustrating draw at Buckingham Town.

Rowant, who won the toss and elected to field, saw Buckingham rack up 268-6 with Jimad Khan top-scoring on 94.

Andrew Hicks's 131 and 57 from Chris Watling, who also took took 3-89, saw the visitors from 26-2 to 224-3.

But they lost six wickets for 32 runs to finish 11 short of victory.

Buckingham Town 18, Aston Rowant 7

Challow & Childrey were plunged deeper into relegation trouble after a six-wicket defeat at Milton Keynes Park.

The visitors made 213-8 after winning the toss with Julian Penney (47), Ian Demain (36), Dan Maroske (30no) and Glyn Lumb (30) all contributing.

Nicholas Packard was the pick of the Milton attack with 4-91 and hit 56 not out alongside Paul Strong (86no) as they eased to victory.

Earlier Olly Dimbylow had given Challow hope with 2-50.

Milton Keynes Park 30, Challow & Childrey 13

Todd Hutcheson (77) and Ian Crosby 52) led Oxford 2nd to a six-wicket victory at Banbury 2nd.

Ash Pearson hit 61 not out and Calum Taylor 58 in Banbury's 204-6, but it never looked enough as Oxford cruised home.

Banbury 2nd 13, Oxford 2nd 30

Shipton-under-Wychwood pulled away from the drop zone by hammering basement boys Dinton.

Spin duo Dickon Morris (4-81) and Shaun Miller (3-49) helped restrict Dinton, for whom Paul Atkins made 72, to 204-9.

Chris Brain's 61 fired Shipton's reply, with Andy Hemming (37), Paul Hemming (33no) and Jason Constable (30no) seeing them to 205-3.

Shipton-under-Wychwood 30, Dinton 12