NEW boys Abingdon Vale gave defending Cherwell League Division 1 champions Aston Rowant 2nd a fright before being edged out by two wickets on the opening day.

Rowant inserted their visitors, who were bowled out for 176 in the 46th over.

They were indebted to opener Amith Premkumar, who top-scored with 51, while Henry Pickford added 41 not out from 43 balls down the order.

Rowant lost regular wickets in their reply as spinner Jonathan Jenkinson took four wickets.

But Matthew McNab’s 84 not out led Rowant’s reply as they edged home at 182-8.

Returning duo Vishane Perera and Richard Cook starred in Didcot’s first game at Boundary Park.

Perera, back at the club after a spell with Oxford, smashed a brilliant 139 from 142 balls in the Division 2 clash.

Cook, returning from Aston Rowant, hit 59 from 47 deliveries, as Didcot racked up a formidable 294-6 dec in 47 overs against visitors Great & Little Tew 2nd.

Tew were shot out for just 97, Robert Keat taking 6-32.

Ryan Gordon’s century was not enough for Challow & Childrey to force victory as they were set a massive target of 312 at Bledlow Village.

The home side racked up 311-7 dec off 52 overs as Will Woodward slammed 126 from 142 balls.

Matthew Bolton (72) and Adam Mould (60) also shone for Bledlow, while Ollie Dimbylow took 4-71.

Challow put up an excellent chase, led by Gordon’s 109 off 98 balls, but they ran out of overs to close on 257-7.

Abingdon Vale 2nd crushed visitors Oxford 3rd by ten wickets as they made a brilliant start to the Division 5 campaign.

Paul Butcher took 4-18 and Dan Hartley 3-20 as Oxford were shot out for a paltry 108, only Miles Picknett (44) getting going for the visitors.

Vale took just 15.5 overs to reach 110-0, Will Barker hit 71 not out.

Oxford were deducted five points for failing to provide an umpire on a day to forget.

Kingston Bagpuize lost by four wickets at Cumnor 2nd.

Marco Cecchini top-scored with 77 as they were dismissed for 166, Solomon Warner claiming 4-57.

Joel Washbourn-Calcutt (68) and Tom Powell (39no) then led the way for hosts Cumnor as they reached 167-6 in the 36th over.

Didcot 2nd were too strong for hosts Kimble as they ran out victors by 112 runs.

Kimble inserted the visitors, who posted 268-5 as Thamindu Wedatilake scored 61 not out, Luke Higgins 61 and Luiz Miguel Stoman 53 not out.

Five wickets apiece for Ranjit Singh (5-24) and Kane Durrant (5-37) then helped to dismiss Kimble for 156.