ABINGDON Vale won in the Cherwell League top flight for the first time in their history after thumping visitors Horspath 2nd by 85 runs.

Vale, inserted by Horspath, were dismissed for 182 as former Vale seamer Jason Cardy took 3-27 and Jehan Mohammed 3-49 in the Division 1 clash.

But Horspath had no answer to Jeisimhan Diwakar (4-13) and Paul White (3-9) as they were shot out for just 97 inside 34 overs, Mark Skelton finishing 57 not out – the only batsman to reach double figures.

Luke Jones scored his maiden Cherwell League century to steer hosts Challow & Childrey to a resounding nine-wicket win at home to Sandford St Martin in Division 2.

Sandford opted to bat first, posting 190-7 in their 53 overs as Challow’s spinner George Trewby (4-43) starred.

Steve Dobson top-scored for Sandford with a fluent 59.

But the total never looked like challenging Challow, who cruised to victory with almost ten overs to spare.

A 150-run opening stand between Jones (101no) and Mark Foster (60) did the trick, Jones’s ton containing 17 fours and a six.

Didcot lost by six wickets away to Cropredy, who went top of the table.

Vishane Perera (62) and Dan Swindells (45) took the visitors to 171 all out, Richard Lynch taking 4-18 and Patrick Somerton 3-57.

Cropredy reached the target in the 36th over thanks to Ed Somerton hit 70 not out and Joe Fox 58.

Marco Cecchini hit 93 not out for Kingston Bagpuize, but it was not enough for his side to force victory as Abingdon Vale 2nd opted to shut up shop for a draw in Division 5.

Cecchini and Will Woodley (45no) saw Kingston to 186-2.

George Woodley then took 4-30 and Jonathan Warner 3-20 in Vale’s reply, as they crawled along to 140-8, Paul Butcher hitting 48.

Luke Higgins took a five-wicket haul, but Didcot 2nd were left clinging on for a draw at home to Cropredy 2nd.

Higgins’s 5-47, plus 3-29 from Kieran Beesley helped to dismiss the visitors for 156 in the 51st over.

However, Didcot lost regular wickets, James Coleman the pick of the Cropredy attack with 4-40, as they held on at 144-9 to avoid defeat.

Challow & Childrey 2nd battled to a draw away to Sandford St Martin 2nd in Division 6.

Greg Pearson hit 105 not out in Sandford’s 220-6, before Tom Goffe claimed 5-39 as Challow closed on 166-8.

In Division 9, Challow & Childrey 3rd lost by 59 runs at home to Oxford Downs 3rd.

Alex Owen’s 79 saw Downs reach 178, before Steve Wilson’s spell of 6-33 dismissed Challow for 119.