CHERWELL LEAGUE - Division 3

OXFORD Downs 2nd won a thriller at Dinton 2nd by one wicket.

The home team’s score of 138 on their fast-scoring ground should never have been enough. Steve Roberts was back to his rampant best, taking 6-44 in a marathon 23.2 over spell.

But it nearly proved to be plenty as Downs struggled to 142-9, with the winning boundary being hit off the final ball. Roberts top-scored with 33.

Dinton 2nd 11pts, Ox Downs 2nd 25

Leaders Cublington swept aside Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd thanks to a well-timed run chase.

Shipton looked to be in the game when Paul Hemming (53no) and Andy Thompson (46) led them to a respectable 185-6.

But Greg Jenkins (62no) and Bill Burton (37) steered the hosts to 186-3 with 16 balls to go.

Cublington 25, Shipton 2nd 6

Bicester & North Oxford crashed to an embarrassing defeat at Long Marston.

Mark Green (44), James Beesley (40), and Mike Lyons (37) led Marston to 203-8, Mike Simpson taking 3-39.

Bicester were skittled for 88, with Beesley (4-30) to the fore.

L Marston 25, Bicester & N Oxford 3

Banbury 3rd could muster only 67 runs from 36 overs in bowler-friendly conditions at home to Horspath 2nd.

The visitors were reduced to 29-5, but recovered to 71-5.

Banbury 3rd 5, Horspath 2nd 25

Russ Turner (6-54) and Ben Keeping (4-67) helped Bledlow Ridge dismiss Sandford St Martin for 151. Jim Howe dug in for his 55.

Phil Brooks (53) and Henry Hale (31) led Ridge to 152-5 from 46 overs.

Bledlow Ridge 25, Sandford St Martin 7