CHERWELL LEAGUE

ABINGDON Vale’s hopes of climbing away from relegation trouble in Division 2 were hindered by a rain-hit draw at Aston Rowant 2nd on Saturday.

Rowant made 212-7 from 53 overs, thanks in the main to Andrew Tolson’s knock of 85.

The weather then reduced Vale’s innings to 29 overs, from which they scored 130-2.

Teenager Tom Price hit a league-best 61 not out from 78 balls, while fellow opener Joffy Cummings enjoyed ple-nty of good fortune in his streaky 37.

Justin Penrose scored 76 for Challow & Childrey, but his side fell well short of leaders Leighton Buzzard Town’s total as they had to settle for a draw.

The visitors had powered to 246-7, thanks mainly to Phil Whatmore (69) and some late hitting by Jack Kempster (49) and Lee Selfe (42no).

Challow started well thro-ugh Penrose and Ryan Gor-don (49), but Selfe took 4-54 and Tom Light claimed 4-72 to leave the hosts – who also lost five overs to rain – on 190-8.

Didcot enjoyed an eight-wicket victory over Oxford Downs 2nd to stay hot on the heels of Sandford St Martin in the race for the Division 3 title.

Downs were rolled over for only 126, Ian Demain continuing his fine season by taking 6-29.

The hosts wasted little time in reaching 129-2, with the on-song Henry Brisland 86 not out when the winning run was scored.

A combination of King-ston Bagpuize, Blewbury & Wallingford and the wet weather combined to produce the most thrilling of draws in their Division 4 encounter.

First hosts Bagpuize were bowled out for 151 in 52 overs. Matthew Warner hit 46 and Ben Denton took 4-36.

A shower reduced the visitors’ innings to 42 overs, at the end of which both were agonisingly close to victory with the score on 150-9.

James Barrett top-scored with 39, while Warner finished with 3-30.

Didcot 2nd failed to cope with the menace of Matt Furness as they went down to a 140-run defeat at Thame Town 2nd in Division 5.

Furness hit 14 fours in his 100 not out as Thame dec-lared on 237-4 from 42 overs.

The visitors could not manage 100 between them, being bowled out for 97 by Ian McStay (5-38) and Chris Penny (3-38).

Abingdon Vale 2nd were dismissed for 147 as they lost by nine wickets at home to Stokenchurch.

Stefan Read did the damage with 4-43, Terry Groome top-scoring with 41.

Arshad Latif then followed up his spell of 3-24 by hitting 72 in the visitors’ 150-1, which also included Joe Brown’s 69no.

Abingdon Vale 4th pipped Cropredy 3rd by two runs in Division 10, with 15-year-old Neeraj Khatarian taking an impressive 7-51.

George Hook claimed figures of 5-44 as Challow & Childrey 2nd skittled East Oxford 2nd for 124 in Division 6.

Karl Humphries had top-scored with 32 as Childrey posted 169-8,  Atif Ali taking 4-31 and Zahid Ali 3-22.

Challow then polished off East Oxford as they eased to a 45-run victory.