ABINGDON Vale inflicted a first defeat of the season on previous Division 2 leaders Challow & Childrey by 16 runs in an exciting derby.

Amith Premkumar (59) helped Vale to 152 all out as the visitors struggled to cope with the bowling of George Trewby (6-50) and Olly Dimbylow (3-43).

But in reply, Vale’s rapid opening bowler Joe Butcher produced a superb spell of 5-55 as Challow were shot out for 136, Ryan Gordon top-scoring with 30.

Scott Harris claimed a stunning six-wicket haul as Blewbury & Wallingford eased to a four-wicket win at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd in Division 3.

Harris took the first four wickets as Shipton were reduced to 45-6.

Anthony Prior-Wandesford (57no) and Tom Swann (51) shared 95 for the seventh wicket as they set a competitive total of 178-9 from their 53 overs, Harris finishing with figures of 6-40 from 17 overs.

A 93-run stand between John Shea (65) and Ben Denton (49no) broke the back of Blewbury’s run chase, but the hosts only reached 182-6 off the penultimate ball of the match.

Didcot maintained their promotion bid after a seven-wicket win at home to Horley.

Aiden Kammel’s 4-48 helped to restrict the visitors to 168 all out, Adam Webb top-scoring with 57. Ian Demain then scored 54 as Didcot eased home at 171-3 in the 34th over.

Brothers George and Will Woodley helped Kingston Bagpuize to an 81-run victory at Banbury 4th in Division 5

Toby Ricks (54) and Will Woodley (50) saw Kingston to 210 all out, Daniel Bartlett taking 4-40 and Steve Partington 4-47.

Banbury had no answer to the Woodley brothers as they fell to 129 all out, Will taking 3-20 and older brother George 3-30.

Abingdon Vale 2nd lost by six wickets at home to Horspath.

Ceri Holmes (4-22) and Stuart Berry (3-12) combined to dismiss Vale for 101, before Horspath eased home at 102-4 in the 33rd over.

Horspath had five points deducted for failing to provide an umpire.

Didcot 2nd went down by 12 runs at Cumnor 2nd, who were all out for 232, Kunal Patel taking 4-57.

James Bywater (42), Alex Rodman (41) and Jim Head (33) led Didcot’s reply but they fell just short on 220 all out.

Tom Pollard’s magnificent 153 was not enough to lead Abingdon Vale 3rd to victory at Brackley 2nd in Division 8.

The batsman’s claim to fame is that he opened the batting for Oxfordshire Colts with former England captain Andrew Strauss in his youth.

Although their cricketing careers have gone in very different directions since, Pollard, who was dropped on 20, showed he still retained some ability with a superb innings.

The hosts showed no interest in chasing Vale’s 235-7, shutting up shop to finish on 184-8, with David Barnes scoring 100.

George Hook claimed brilliant figures of 7-34 as Challow & Childrey 2nd condemned Great & Little Tew 3rd to an 86-run defeat.

Challow racked up 233 all out in 48 overs, James Smith hitting 63. Tew were then all out for 147.

Dave Allen had a day to remember for Didcot 3rd in Division 9 South as he hit a half-century and took seven wickets in his side’s 22-run win at Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 3rd.

Allen top-scored with 59 in Didcot’s 154 all out, before returning 7-36 as Nondies were bowled out for 132.