MP Sports Cherwell League - Division 2

Leaders Sandford St Martin look to be heading back to Division 1 for the first time in ten years after clinching their sixth win in seven starts, this time at Leighton Buzzard Town.

Simon Smith was in the wickets again, this time taking 4-70 as Leighton were restricted to 189 all out. Town stalwart Phil Whatmore hit 73.

Alex Kill (88no) and all rounder Greg Pearson (54) then took Sandford to 193-3 in the 49th over.

L Buzzard 6pts, Sandford St M 25

Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts lost ground at the top when they were held to a draw in a low-scoring clash with Abingdon Vale.

A 92-run partnership for the third wicket between opener Will Barker (51) and the experienced Graham Charles-worth (72) looked like taking Vale to a big total after they decided to bat first.

But Ed Oakley led a fightback by taking 6-31 to leave the visitors on 158-8 at the close.

Nondies were reduced to 50-4 before Simon Wood (35) and Mark Strong (46no) steered them to safety on 133-7.

Nondies12, Abingdon Vale 12

Third-placed Tiddington also fell further behind Sandford because they failed to overcome strugglers Banbury Twenty.

Mark Haupt hit a chanceless 91 to get Twenty off to a great start, but they collapsed from 172-5 to 198 all out in only six overs.

Nick Pykett took 5-44 for the home side and then struck 60, but Keith Arnold (4-60) and James Soppett (5-57) turned the tables to leave Tiddington’s final pair clinging on for four overs to secure the draw on 175-9.

Tiddington 11, Banbury Twenty 15

Banbury 2nd sent Long Marston tumbling to defeat by nine wickets in a one-sided affair at White Post Road.

Marston's batsmen were all soon back in the hutch as they succumbed for 103, of which Harry Bowles contributed 32.

Richard Brooks took 4-45 for Banbury and then watched Shahbaz Ali (51no) and Andrew Sabin (32no) cruise to victory.

Banbury 2nd 25, Long Marston 2

Wolverton Town won for only the second time this season to keep their slim survival hopes alive.

Andy Gosling bowled throughout to take 4-69 as Twyford reached 210-9, Ian Perna hitting 35 and Mohammed Shafaquat 46 not out.

Shaun Potter then hit 95 and Aky Hussain scored 48 before being forced to retire hurt, but Town still eased to 211-3.

Both sides were docked one point for their slow over rates.

Twyford 6, Wolverton Town 24