Rover Cowley were unable to stop leaders Buckingham pulling off a dramatic one-wicket win - but the bonus points they picked up mean they are safe in The Oxford Times Cherwell League first division.
Having posted 222-8, Rover reduced Buckingham to 51-5.
But a chanceless partnership between Anthony Romaine (119no) and Will Hearsey (67) added 150 and put the table-toppers back on track.
However, there was a further twist when Mohsin Rana returned to take two wickets in two balls twice.
But Romaine successfully shepherded his No 11 batsman, hitting two final fours to take Buckingham to 223-9.
Earlier, an opening stand of 108 by Reg Finch (53) and Chris Thomas (53) gave Rover a solid start, but they then lost five wickets for 30 runs before Nawaz Ali (40) helped them to their final total, seamer Jason Ell taking 4-29.
**Rover Cowley 19, Buckingham 30
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