Abingdon Vale dominated mu-ch of their Cherwell League Divis-ion 2 match at home to Aston Rowant 2nd on Saturday – yet ended up losing by two wickets.

Joe Butcher (42) top-scored in Vale’s 162 all out, which featured some fine bowling by Dominic Whatman (4-42).

Rowant slumped to a disastrous 54-7 in reply, before a superb seventh-wicket partnership of 103 from Whatman (56no) and Leigh Lewis (44) helped them reach 164-8 with 13 balls to spare.

Paul White’s 4-35 was in vain for Vale as Rowant made it two wins in two to climb out of the likely drop zone.

Abingdon Vale 11pts, Aston Rowant 2nd 24

Ryan Gordon smacked an unbeaten 115 for Challow & Childrey, but his bowlers were unable to make the most of his contribution as the game at Cropredy petered out into a draw.

Gordon was well supported by Pat Bryan, who made 63, as Challow closed on 246-2.

Joe Fox’s 53 was the only contribution of note after tea, as Cropredy made their way to 201-7.

Cropredy 4, Challow & Childrey 18

David Slade continued his hot streak with the ball, taking 5-46 to set up an easy win for Didcot at Witney Mills in Division 4.

Pete Claridge made 50 and Pierre Lefort chipped in with 34, but most Mills batsmen struggled in their 152-9.

Simon Pritchard (66) and Henry Brisland (42no) then showed the hosts how to bat as Didcot raced to 155-1 in only 28.1 overs.

Witney Mills 3, Didcot 25

Great & Little Tew 2nd are up to second after winning at Wallingford.

Mark Carey (51), Will Emmett (42) and Warren Ainsworth (39) helped the home side reach 195 before being bowled out.

Kevin Taylor (3-52) was the pick of the visitors’ attack.

Tew then made their way to 196-5 through Marcus Jeacock (56), Michael Darby (50) and Sam Barnes (37no).

Great & Little Tew 2nd 25, Wallingford 9

Abingdon Vale 2nd lost by three wickets at Leighton Buzzard Town 2nd.

Tom Allen stroked a stylish 53 in Vale’s 158 all out, but Jason Cardy’s 4-51 was in vain as Town reached 159-7.

L Buzzard 2nd 25, Abingdon Vale 2nd 9