DARRYL Brown produced a batting masterclass with a brilliant century as Horspath got the better of a draw against local rivals Oxford at Jordan Hill.
The South African all-rounder scored his first Home Counties Premier League ton with 118 to help take the visitors to 272-7 after they had been put in to bat in the Division 1 clash.
The stand-in captain shared a fourth-wicket stand of 70 with Dominic O’Connor, who made a maiden league half-century (55).
Tom Cosford (54) then joined Brown to put on 123 for the fifth wicket.
Brown passed 500 runs for the season and was the last wicket to fall with his 130-ball knock including 11 fours.
He was one of three victims for Shami Mendis, who finished with 3-90, while David Murphy picked up 3-46.
Oxford then found themselves in disarray at 16-3.
But opener Owyn Tong-Jones (84) and skipper Jamie Perkin (74) came to their rescue with a fourth-wicket stand of 148 as the hosts reached 191-6 at the close.
Captain Lloyd Sabin hit a magnificent unbeaten 122 as Banbury beat hosts High Wycombe by 141 runs.
The visitors had been restricted to 10-1.
But Sabin, whose fine knock included 17 fours and a six off 168 deliveries, produced a captain’s innings.
Partnerships of 47, 45 and 40 with Craig Haupt (30), Olly Clarke and Qaasim Adams helped Banbury to 148-5.
Sabin and Charles Hill (52no) then combined for an unbroken stand of 106 as they posted 254-5.
Adams took centre stage with the ball, claiming 5-35, as High Wycombe were dismissed for 113.
Aston Rowant maintained their 19-point lead at the top when winning by six wickets at Finchampstead.
The visitors inserted their hosts, who quickly slipped to 10-2 and then 79-7.
Darron Augustus (55) and Edward Oliver (47) put on 68 for the eighth wicket, before they were all out for 182, Adam Muttitt
(3-24) and Gordon Harris
(3-36) doing the damage.
Rowant chased down the target in the 39th over.
A second-wicket stand of 152 between George Reid, who hit 11 fours and a six in his 79 off 105 balls, and Tom Condon’s 75 off 99 deliveries, including ten boundaries, played a big part.
Bottom side Thame Town suffered a heavy ten-wicket defeat at Henley.
Put into bat, the visitors were all out for 73 as only Michael Beard (37) scored more than 20, Euan Woods taking 4-5.
Henley made light work of chasing down the total.
Openers Michael Roberts (42) and Matthew Rowe (32) knocking off the runs in just 10.1 overs.
Great & Little Tew’s winless run was extended to four matches when beaten by three wickets at home to Harefield.
The defeat leaves them 34 points adrift of the promotion spots in Division 2.
Tew were always struggling after being put into bat, slipping to 12-3 before finding themselves on 56-8.
A ninth-wicket stand of 70 between Robbie Shurmer (49no) and Joe Thomas took them over the 100-mark as they reached 142-9.
Lawrence Brock then dismissed Thomas McLeod and Michael Barry as Harefield fell to 27-2.
But Daniel Ogden (38) and Will Shepherd steadied the ship, putting on 38 for the third wicket.
Tew still had hope with their visitors on 102-6.
But Jordan McLeod and Stephen Croft’s partnership put them on the brink of victory, which they secured in the 54th over.
Shipton-under-Wychwood fell to an eight-wicket defeat at Chesham.
The visitors elected to bat, but only Shaun Cross scored more than 20 as seven failed to reach double figures.
Shipton were skittled for 114 in the 29th over, Matthew Rance taking 4-1.
Chesham needed only 25 overs to secure victory, Matthew Warner top-scoring with 40no.
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