The dismissal of Bourton Vale fielder Mark Whitney from the field of play overshadowed the action in his side's MP Sports Cherwell League Division 1 clash with Cumnor on Saturday, which went down to the wire.

Vale chose to bat and amassed 265-4 thanks to skipper Paul Lazenbury’s magnificent 136 not out off 91 balls and Charlie Garratt’s 64.

Cumnor retained an outside chance of victory while Adam Cook was at the crease, but once he fell for 68 the tail was left to hang for a draw at 232-9.

Cumnor 9pts, Bourton Vale 17

Andy Harris took a hat-trick for Great & Little Tew, who enjoyed a 92-run victory over Bletchley Town to move into the top half.

Harris conceded only one run in his brief spell, which brought a rapid end to Town's innings as they were all out for 68. Paceman Anthony Smith had taken 5-32 to put them in trouble.

Earlier Tew’s 160 all out was built around Harry Smith’s 70.

Great & Little Tew 25, Bletchley Town 5

Oxford Downs reached the halfway point of the season without securing a win despite dominating the first half of their match at Oxford 2nd.

Put in to bat Downs racked up 243-9 before declaring after 51 overs, James Barrett leading the way with 79.

Justin Cantrell’s 55 came from only 53 balls. Richard Beer finished with 5-72 from 17 overs and Brad Sutherland 4-58 from 18.

Downs’ bowlers then struggled to make the breakthrough as Wasim Mehmood hit 113 from 129 balls and Aftab Alam a patient 51 in the home side's 246-5.

To make matters worse, the visitors were docked one point for a slow over rate.

Oxford 2nd 25, Oxford Downs 9

Ned Murray’s 72 propelled leaders Horspath to a fourth straight win, this time by six wickets at Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Shipton were undone for 165 by Horspath spinners Paul Jeacock (4-58) and Ben Cook (3-26), with only Simon Hole (53) getting going.

Murray joined forces with Joe Todd (38) as the visitors eased to 166-4, despite Shaun Miller’s 3-17.

Shipton-under-Wychwood 6, Horspath 25

Challow & Childrey’s long trip to Buckingham Town ended in a predictable and heavy defeat.

Vishal Valambhia took 5-25 as Challow collapsed to 149 all out, although James Phillips (36) put up some resistance.

Leigh Tomlinson (36) and Jonny Cater (60no) guided them to an eight-wicket win.

Buckingham Town 25, Challow 4