The eagerly-awaited Division 2 West top-of-the-table clash between Aston Rowant and Dinton in the serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League ended in a thrilling draw at Butts Way on Saturday.

On an excellent batting pitch, Dinton, chasing a target of 253 for victory, finished just three runs short with three wickets in hand.

But, by taking more points than the visitors, Rowant have closed the gap behind the leaders to seven points.

Electing to bat first, Rowant’s innings was dominated by a second-wicket stand of 169 between opener Tim Morgan and Dan Matt-hews, 16, one of four under 17-year-olds in their line-up Morgan scored 96 while Matthews made a mature 78.

Nick Ferraby hit two sixes in his unbeaten 37, which took the hosts to to 252-5 off 59 overs.

Dinton slipped to 24-2 before opener Robert King (96) and the prolific Mike Sutliff (83) put on 123 for the third wicket.

Alan Massey, with a fluent unbeaten 59, struck well as Dinton kept up the chase, even after they slipped to 220-7. But Rowant skipper West Morrick’s tidy spell kept them in check and they fell just short on 250-7.