The MP Sports Cherwell League title race will be decided this Saturday, with Oxford Downs marginal favourites following last weekend's action.

Downs beat Buckingham Town by five wickets, while morning leaders Shipton-under-Wychwood were being frustrated by a combination of Bourton Vale and the weather.

So Downs return to the top with a three-point lead and will secure their first league championship if they win at home to Oxford 2nd.

Anything less than a win would let in Shipton, who play host to Leighton Buzzard Town – to whom they lost by 15 runs in July.

Justin Cantrill was the star of the show in Downs’ win at Buckingham, taking 4-57 and hitting 75 in a crucial five-wicket win.

Town were restricted to 172-8 as Cantrill shared the spoils with Lester Smart (4-77).

The visitors then raced to 173-5 from 30.2 overs, Andrew Buckingham scoring 32.

Buckingham Town 8pts, Oxford Downs 25

Shipton scored quickly after being asked to bat first at Bourton Vale and were therefore able to declare on 237-8.

Andrew Hemming (59), Graham Newhook (47) and Jason Hunt (46) were all in the runs.

Former Vale seamer Ryan Newhook then took 6-49 to put Shipton in complete control, but John Nicholson’s 30 and a lack of overs allowed Vale to escape on 119-7.

Bourton Vale 4, Shipton-under-Wychwood 18

Cumnor’s slim title chances were washed away by heavy rain shortly before the scheduled start of their clash with Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts, which forced the match to be abandoned.

Cumnor 6, Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 6

Only 80 minutes’ play was possible at Leighton Buzzard Town before a downpour and then a hailstorm prevented any further action.

Town had been reduced to 68-4 from 23 overs by Great & Little Tew, with Chris Thompson back in the hutch after scoring 38.

Leighton Buzzard Town 6, Great & Little Tew 6

No play was possible at Roman Way in the match between Oxford 2nd and Bletchley Town, which means Oxford are sure to finish one off the bottom and are likely to start next season in Division 2.

Oxford 2nd 6, Bletchley Town 6