A BRILLIANT century from John Pechey could not prevent Challow & Childrey losing a nail-biting match by one-wicket at home to Oxford Downs on Saturday.

The victory boosted Downs’s hopes of lifting the Cherwell League Division 2 title.

After restricting their hosts to 199-7 in 53 overs, Downs edged home with just over two overs to spare as No 11 Jonny Meardon hit the winning boundary.

Downs put their hosts in to bat, and Challow’s innings was dominated by opener Pechey.

With the home side losing wickets regularly at one end, Pechey defied everything the Downs attack could send down, finishing with an outstanding 109 from 185 balls.

The only other Challow batsman to really get going was Mark Foster, who shared a 76-run partnership with Pechey for the fourth wicket.

In their Downs openers Alex Ling and George Sandbach put on 107 for the first wicket.

Sandbach fell for 50, followed immediately by Will Watts.

Ling soon followed for 54 as wickets started to tumble, with George Trewby taking 4-62 and Ryan Gordon 3-14.

But with nine wickets down and last pair at the crease, No. 11 Meardon hit a match-winning four with 13 balls to spare.

Abingdon Vale left-arm spinner Paul White took 4-9 as they defeated visitors Cropredy by five wickets to maintain their title challenge.

White and Henry Pickford (3-42) combined to dismiss Cropredy for only 82.

Sam Chilvers (28no) led Vale’s reply as they reached 83-5.

An outstanding unbroken second-wicket stand of 182 between Aiden Kammel and Ian Demain stunned previous leaders Bledlow Village as Didcot cruised to a nine-wicket win to take over top spot in Division 3.

Jordan Morrison’s earlier haul of 5-51 had dismissed Bledlow for 231, Matthew Bolton top-scoring with 70.

Robert Keat fell for nine in Didcot’s reply, although he shared 50 for the opening wicket with Demain.

But then Kammel and Demain batted superbly to ease Didcot to victory.

Kammel finished 109 not out and Demain 102 not out.

Blewbury & Wallingford lost by seven wickets at home to Horley, who kept their promotion hopes alive.

Jonathan Hart took 5-26 and Dave Eaton 3-39 as the home side were bowled out for 121, Ian Harris top-scoring with 40.

Adam Webb then scored 68 not out and Dave Clark 38 not out to steer Horley comfortably to 124-3.

Didcot 2nd bowlers came in for severe punishment as Horspath 3rd racked up 301-6 dec in Division 5.

James Earnshaw (73) and Chris Jones (63) led the way for Horspath, who then dismissed Didcot for 231 in their reply, Robert Green hitting 60, Ross Fryatt 56 and Kunal Patel 54 not out.

Kingston Bagpuize had much the better of the proceedings in their drawn match at home to Chearsley.

Kingston racked up 259-7 dec, James Boon scoring 60 and Toby Ricks 56.

Marc Hignell’s 74 was the main contribution in Chearsley’s reply, but they clung on at 152-9, James Kemp claiming 4-19.

Skipper Luke Mitchell produced a superb all-round display as Abingdon Vale stayed second after a 76-run win over Banbury 4th.

Mitchell, the side’s regular No 11, hit a career-best 34 not out to help Vale reach 199-9.

The medium pacer then starred with the ball, taking 5-22 as Banbury were dismissed for 122, Max Owen chipping in with 3-28.

Abingdon Vale 3rd saw off hosts Great & Little Tew by three wickets in Division 8.

James Babbage top-scored with 56 not out as Tew posted 203-7.

Young Zach Lion-Cachet (40) and Tom Guntrip (35no) then led the way for Vale as they reached 204-7 in the 42nd over.