MP SPORTS CHERWELL LEAGUE

Division 1

LEFT-ARM spinner Shaun Miller proved virtually unplayable as 2010 runners up, Shipton-under-Wychwood, got off to a winning start at Bletchley Town.

Miller took 6-35 in a 20-over spell that also featured eight maidens as Town crumbled to 155 all out, of which James Sprittles contributed 42.

Earlier Shipton had put together a competitive 182 thanks to Andy Hemming and Simon Hole, both of whom made exactly 50, and Jason Hunt, who chipped in with 43.

Shipton-under-Wychwood 25pts, Bletchley Town 7

Cumnor slipped to a three-wicket defeat at newly promoted Leighton Buzzard Town, who snatched victory from the last ball of the final over.

The visitors had looked well placed after posting 248, with Jamie Douglas hitting a stylish 100, left-hander Mark Kirsten a less conventional 43 and Adam Cook a classy 41.

Jack Kempster finished with 5-60 for Town, who started well thanks to Dan Scott’s run-a-ball 84 and kept up with the rate through Kempster’s 34.

Then captain Antony Francis (32no) helped Leighton scramble 29 runs from the final three overs to secure the win.

Leighton Buzzard Tn 25, Cumnor 12

There was another tight finish at Great & Little Tew, where the home side came within two wickets of victory in a thriller against Buckingham Town.

Tew struggled to score quickly after electing to bat, but Edmund Gross (58no) saw them to 156-9.

Ashley Pearson then held together Town’s reply, and they found their way to 160-8 despite the best efforts of Joe White (3-38) and Matt Taylor (3-46).

Great & Little Tew 10, Buckingham Town 25

Oxford Downs started year two of their three-year quest to win the league with an eight-wicket victory over a new look Bourton Vale.

Last year Downs’ first win came in July, but they did not have to wait as long this time.

Paceman Simon Launder (5-28) was too good for half the Vale batsmen, while Amin Rafiq helped out by taking 3-33 in the visitors’ 165 all out. Ed Shaw top scored with 64.

Darryl Woods then hit 65 to set Downs on course for victory, before Oliver Bailey (60no) finished the job with only two wickets down.

Oxford Downs 25, Bourton Vale 5