CHERWELL LEAGUE

Division 5

HORLEY are promoted and need one more win to clinch the title after overcoming a scare at Tiddington 2nd to maintain their 100 per cent winning record.

The hosts posted 175-8 from 50 overs, Peter King hitting 35. Pete Papenfus took 3-32.

Neil Smith (4-55) made the visitors work hard after the interval, but Dave Clark's 51 set them on the way to 180-8 from 31 overs.

Tiddington 2nd 11pts, Horley 25

Didcot seem sure to finish second after Matt Jones claimed a devastating 6-17 as Kimble were all out for 73.

The visitors won by 105 runs as they had posted 178-7.

Ian Demain top-scored with 65, while Adrian Rose took 4-62 and Michael Stackhouse claimed 3-46.

Kimble 3, Didcot 25

Abingdon Vale 2nd’s promotion chances suffered a near fatal blow when they slipped to a narrow defeat at home to Challow & Childrey 2nd.

Vale looked well placed when the visitors succumbed for 133 after Henry Pickford took 4-33 and Tim Chilvers (3-27). Justin Penrose (48) was by the most successful batsman.

Vale found runs easier to come by, but kept losing wickets to Adam Shorten (4-39) and Mark Taylor (3-32) and were all out for 125 in the 29th over.

Abingdon Vale 2nd 6, Challow 2nd 25

Thame Town 2nd were left frustrated when they came up two runs short of victory at home to Horspath 3rd, despite losing 13 overs from their innings.

The home side had been bowled out for 158 in 52 overs, with Alastair Thomas taking 4-36 and George Patey picking up 4-90.

Lloyd Belcher then bagged 4-30 to give Horspath a chance of easing their relegation fears, but Daniel Patey (45) and Guy Holmes (46no) all but won the match as Town ended on 157-7.

Horspath were deducted four points for a slow over rate.

Thame Town 2nd 10, Horspath 3rd 8

Adil Hussain took 5-32 as Brackley – still seeking their first win – were reduced to 75-8 from 27 overs batting second at home to Banbury 4th.

The visitors had fared better, reaching 143-7 from 41 overs after Barry Grant and Ally Jarvis scored 37 apiece.

Brackley 3, Banbury 4th 16