MP SPORTS CHERWELL LEAGUE - Div 1

Challow & Childrey are still clinging to hopes of avoiding the drop after playing out a thriller against likely runners-up Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Shipton amassed 252 all out despite seeing their innings reduced by rain to 44 overs.

The in-form Simon Hole continued his good run by hitting 103, before Tim Senior (47) and Craig Wood (48) struck some lusty blows towards the end. Joe Harris toiled away for 17 overs to finish with 5-108.

Nigel Hume kept Challow in the hunt, but he fell three runs short of his century and the hosts were nine runs short of victory on 244-9.

Charles Brain took 4-72 and Jason Hunt 3-79 for Shipton, who now need one more win to cement second place.

Challow 13pts, Shipton 17

Oxford Downs edged closer to safety despite seeing their match at Bourton Vale cut short by the weather.

Downs were asked to bat and promptly racked up 266-8, thanks principally to Andy Buckingham’s classy 100 not out and Wes Bartlett’s more forthright 74.

Graham Newhook took 3-47 and his brother, Ryan, 3-109.

Vale had started well in reply, but rain brought a premature end with their score on 74-1 in the 20th over.

Bourton Vale 6, Oxford Downs 6

Oxford 2nd slumped to a 60-run reverse at Bletchley Town, who jumped out of the bottom two in the process.

Town’s win was set up by James Ward’s unbeaten 61 from 59 balls, which propelled the home side from a below par score to a competitive 203-7.

Philip Evans hit a stylish 59 in Oxford’s reply, but they were undone by Tom Joraslafsky, who claimed 6-46 from 21.4 overs as they were dismissed for 143.

Bletchley Town 25, Oxford 2nd 5

Harry Smith (38), Anthony Smith (36) and Lloyd Brock (35) all got starts for Great & Little Tew, but none could make the big score their side needed to overcome Buckingham Town, who won by 37 runs.

By contrast, Leigh Tomlinson had hit 94 as Town posted 247.

He received invaluable support from Ben Stafford (45), Jonny Cater (42) and Rob Large (34), while Andy Harris took 3-41.

After tea, Jason Ell took 3-25, James Gear 3-34 and Ben Stafford 3-85 to reduce the visitors to 210 all out.

Buck’ham Tn 25, Gt & L Tew 9