CHALLOW & Childrey and Sandford St Martin met on equal terms in Cherwell League Division 2 at the weekend, but next summer are increasingly likely to be two levels apart.

Challow are well placed to return to Division 1 with five weeks of the season to go, while Sandford are already doomed to relegation, barring the most unlikely of comebacks.

The gulf between the two sides was evident in a rain-interrupted game on Saturday, when Sandford slumped to 94 all out in the face of some accurate bowling from Olly Dimbylow (5-38) and Jamie Fraser (3-26).

Challow rattled along at nearly five runs an over after the interval, the in-form Adam Tucker helping himself to 39 against a friendly visiting attack.

Victory was confirmed with only three wickets down in the 22nd over.

Sandford escaped the drop last summer thanks to a couple of match-winning performances from Siphe Mzayidume, a South African quickie who was erratic but effective on his day.

There seems no saving them in his absence.

Challow put themselves in the leading pack with a four-match winning streak early in the season.

They have stayed there since, despite their patchy form and the equally patchy weather.

  • Challow & Childrey 25pts, Sandford St Martin 3

Aston Rowant 2nd overcame relegation rivals Long Marston by four wickets to clinch their first win of the season and keep their survival hopes alive.

Marston’s wafer-thin batting line-up was exposed yet again, as only all-rounder Pete Toovey (55) made much of a contribution in their 173 all out.

Richard Cook (48), Adam Cossins (43) and Ryan Chapman (31) then held their nerve to take Rowant to 174-6.

  • Long Marston 9pts, Aston Rowant 2nd 25

Leaders Twyford overcame a scare at Oxford Downs 2nd thanks to an inspired spell from left-arm spinner Bilal Afzal.

The visitors were deep in trouble after being bowled out for 129 by Steve Roberts (3-6), Simon Launder (3-27) and Daryl Johnson (3-57).

Zawar Hussain top scored with 35 and then watched Afzal take 5-30 and Tokeer Hussain claim 3-39 as Downs succumbed for 105.

  • Oxford Downs 2nd 6, Twyford 25

Oxford 2nd stay in the promotion mix by beating Wolverton Town to put a dent in their opponents’ chances of going up.

Oxford amassed 252-8 through Jamie Perkin (91), Nick Hands (45) and Ian Crosby (43), and scored so quickly they could declare after 49 overs. Jamil Raja (4-82) and was the pick of the bowlers.

Town’s reply faltered against Ian Evans (5-57) and Salim Malik (5-66) , and Colin Kightley (45no) ran out of partners when they were all out for 172.

  • Oxford 2nd 25, Wolverton Town 6

Dan Hartley took 5-81 as Abingdon Vale restricted Tiddington to 199-8 in an innings shortened by rain to 48 overs.

Will Cooper was the most successful batsman with 68.

Vale had 46 overs to attempt their reply, but did not get close, finishing on 143-8. Matt Maule took 3-36.

  • Abingdon Vale 5, Tiddington 18