Persimmon Village Cup

HORSPATH edged out Aston Rowant by four runs in the battle of Oxfordshire’s leading village clubs.

The pair, who will clash in Saturday’s Home Counties Premier League opener, were unlucky to be drawn against each other in round two, but it was hosts Hospath who held sway.

Andy Wynd’s 59 not out was the mainstay of Horspath’s 184-5, with Jehan Mohammed (43) and skipper Robbie Eason (33) supporting well.

Tim Morgan took 4-39 and added 40 in Rowant’s reply, with Thad Cooper (63) and Chris Watling (31).

But they closed on 180-8, with Will Eason taking 2-24 and Adam Krol 2-30.

Sandford St Martin pipped Kingston Bagpuize by one wicket.

Chasing 163 for victory, the hosts looked down and out at 121-9 with seven overs remaining, but Jim Howe (51no) and Richard Cox (10no) steered them home.

Even Sandford captain James Risbridger admitted: “We shouldn’t have won it.”

Will Oglesby was the main contributor with 49 in Bagpuize’s 162 all out, Risbridger taking 3-19.

Oglesby (3-44) and Martin Shepherd (3-46) stemmed the tide before Howe and Cox took Sandford to 164-9.

Robbie Owen’s unbeaten century powered Challow & Childrey to a 23-run victory over Great & Little Tew.

Owen’s 111 was well-supported by Ryan Gordon (35) and Steve Burry (28no) in Challow’s 217-3.

Dave Slade (4-24) pegged Tew’s reply back, and although Joe White top-scored with 64, they were all out for 194 in the final over.

Challow will now face Tiddington, who were handed a walkover by Deddington as were Shrivenham by Peppard.

Mark Twynham (5-10) helped Cropredy beat Hanborough by eight wickets.

Twynham and Wayne Hazell (3-15) dismissed Hanborough for 83.

Mike Amos-Simpson (35no) helped Cropredy reach 84-2 inside 13 overs.

Andy Buckingham and James Ellwood hammered centuries in Oxford Downs’ 235-run demolition of The Baldons.

Buckingham made 133 and Ellwood 111 not out in Down’s 323-3, then Lester Smart took 5-12 to help dismiss The Baldons for 88.

Half centuries from Charlie Brain (64) and captain Simon Hole (61no) fired Shipton-under-Wychwood to an eight-wicket win over Steeple Aston.

Shipton raced to 168-2 in 25.1 overs after George Seacole took 3-34 in Ashton’s 166-7, Tom Maxwell making 78.