TITLE-CHASING Aston Rowant were unable to close the gap on the leaders despite beating Banbury by 51 runs at home.

The victory leaves them 21 points adrift of top spot in Division 1 of the Home Counties Premier League, with just two games remaining after leaders Slough and second-placed Henley also won.

Rowant were put into bat and slipped to 67-4.

But a fifth-wicket stand of 86 between Leo Bethell (57) and Chris Watling (53) more than steadied the ship.

Tom Condon (43) and Dan Moriarty (30) also contributed as Rowant set 244-9, Qaasim Adams taking 3-52.

Banbury slipped to 18-3, but Adams’ 77 from 87 balls led them to 171-6.

But they fell to 193 all out, Moriarty claiming 4-29 and Bethell 3-22.

Lloyd Belcher took five wickets and Tom Coleman hit an unbeaten 90 on his birthday as Horspath all but secured survival with a seven-wicket win at relegated Thame Town.

Will Eason’s side now need just two points from their remaining two games to secure their top-flight status despite second-bottom Oxford’s victory against Tring Park.

Left-arm spinner Belcher

(5-31) picked up wickets at regular intervals as Thame were restricted to 195-9 after being put in to bat, with James Adams making 50.

Coleman, who turned 26, and Robbie Eason provided the platform for Horspath’s chase with a second successive half-century opening partnership.

James Fitzjohn (30) and Darryl Brown (26) chipped in as they joined Coleman to keep the scoreboard ticking over,

Tom Cosford clinched Horspath’s first win since the two sides met nine weeks ago with a six over mid-wicket, taking the visitors to 201-3.

Oxford headed into their clash at home to Tring knowing they needed to win to avoid relegation.

And fine displays from Connor Kilpatrick (3-19) and Richard Musk (3-28), as well as Muhammad Ayub’s unbeaten 70, helped them to a 38-run victory at Jordan Hill.

The hosts were put into bat and former Pakistan international Ayub’s knock, which included five fours, saw them post 204-8.

Tring reached 159-5, before Kilpatrick and Chris Humphrey’s made light work of the tail, with five wickets falling for just seven runs.

But with Oxford 39 points adrift, the victory looks to have only delayed the inevitable.

Shipton-under-Wychwood’s relegation from Division 2 was confirmed in a 117-run defeat at Datchet.

The west Oxfordshire side have endured a miserable season and are now an unassailable 42 points adrift of safety with two games remaining.

Shipton faced a tough task when Datchet set 272-9 after opting to bat.

Chris Peploe (94) and Vishal Aeri (40) put on an opening stand of 142.

Joseph Thomas (40) and Tim Alldis (37no) also impressed, while Anupam Sanklecha took 3-27.

The basement boys were then dismissed 155 in the 41st over as Peploe completed a fine all-round display by taking 4-40.

Only Steve Bates (33) and Ian Harris (29) scored more than 20 for Shipton.

Great & Little Tew suffered a 48-run defeat at home to Buckingham Town, who became champions.

The hosts inserted their visitors who were indebted to Robert Large’s unbeaten century.

His 117no helped Buckingham reach 237-9, Joe Thomas taking 3-31.

Captain Harry Smith top-scored with 75 and Joe White hit 60, but the home side were dismissed for 189.