Reigning Cherwell League champions Shipton-under-Wychwood's rocky start to the season continued when they lost at home to Oxford Downs in a remarkable roller-coaster match on Saturday.

After deciding to bat, Shipton were reduced at one stage to 114-8 by the Oxford Downs attack, Paul Hebbert taking 4-38.

However, Chris Panter (39no) and Jon Hartley (49) came to the rescue with a ninth-wicket partnership of 100 to lift them to 214-9.

Shipton then made inroads into the Downs batting, reducing them to 107-5. But a resolute innings by Paddy Daniel (35no) saw the visitors home in the last over.

**Shipton 16pts, Oxford Downs 30

Pacesetters Aston Rowant did not mind having to wait for their tea as they rolled over visitors Kimble for a meagre 40 on Saturday.

Rowant's destroyers were Ryan Dutton (5-16) and Chris Eaton (3-22), who proved too much for the Kimble line-up.

The home side knocked off the runs in six overs for an eight-wicket win that puts them 45 points clear at the top.

**Aston Rowant 30, Kimble 3

A fourth-wicket stand of 131 between Jacques du Toit (77) and Richard Howell (74) provided Bourton Vale with an impressive 216-7 at Banbury Twenty, Mark Rowell taking 4-54.

Twenty then powered to 217-6, with ex-Oxfordshire star David Wise (85no) and Mike Thomas (33no) blasting 71 in eight overs.

However, the victory was tarnished when Twenty skipper Keith Arnold pulled up with a hamstring injury.

**Banbury Twenty 30, Bourton 15

Challow & Childrey gained maximum points from their trip to Dinton after David Slade (3-20) and Nigel Hill (4-26) dismissed the home side for 133, despite 48 from Darren Risden and an unbeaten 40 by Kelvin Ripley.

Julian Penney (39) top-scored for Challow as they eased to 134-2 in the 41st over.

**Dinton 7, Challow 30

A contribution of 62 from Dave Harris saw Buckingham rattle up 257-9 over at Sandford St Martin.

Mark Robey (43) then did his bit for sandford, but Mark Munnings (5-49) was too much for Sandford and they were bowled out for 172.

**Sandford 6, Buckingham 30