TOM Nicholls struck four times as Saxton Rovers closed the gap at the top of North Berks League Division 1 to a single point with a crushing 7-2 win at Drayton on Saturday, writes Phil Annets.

Jack Smith, Danny Parry and Wayne Waldron scored the other three goals for the title hopefuls, while Nathan Merry and Ryan Seamark got the consolations for Drayton.

Mike Kent, Steve Pitson and Tervel Atanasov were all on target as Abingdon Town won 3-1 at Crowmarsh Gifford, with Craig Duncan netting for the hosts.

Josh Nicholls struck twice for Dorchester but the club remain pointless after Will Houseman, Lewis Monaghan and Tim Barton all scored to give Long Wittenham Athletic a 3-2 away win.

Two late goals from Jamie Speer gave Steventon a 2-0 home win over Faringdon Town Res in Division 2.

Harwell Village opened up a six-point gap at the top of Division 3 with a 2-1 home win over Dorchester Res. Paul Powell and Tommy Fisher scored their goals, with Jordan Lyne replying.

Dean Boyles hit a hat-trick for North Oxford as they ran out 4-2 winners at Saxton Rovers Res.

Aaron Williams scored their fourth, with Mike Quinan and Mike Smith on the scoresheet for Saxton.

Goals from Luke Willis and Tam Hearns gave Benson Lions a 2-0 home win over Hungerford Swifts.

OTHER SCORERS

Div 1: Faringdon Tn 0, Lambourn Spts 6 (T Eatwell 2, J James 2, S Conners, B Matthews); Wallingford Tn 0, Kintbury Rgrs 4 (W Lyford 2, H Halls, J Bowers).

Div 2: Burghclere 6 (Curtis Angell 4, A Smith, J Taylor), Marcham 2 (R Fathers, T Cousins); Hanney Utd 0, Turnpike Spts 5 (R Meikle 2, N Brookes, G Dredge, P Watts); Kintbury Rgrs Res 2 (l Johnson 2), Stanford in the Vale 0.

Div 4: E Hendred Res 5 (L Eltham 3, M Brind 2), Wallingford Tn Res 3 (L Reynolds 2, M Bone); Faringdon Tn A 0, Blewbury 2 (C Hollick, o.g.); Lambourn Spts Res 4 (E McGowran 2, A Mooney, S Buck), Kennington Ath 1 (C Arnold); Long Wittenham Ath Res 2 (T Andrews, R Jarvis), Berinsfield Res 1 (M Calvo); Stanford in the Vale Res 1 (R Winfield), Abingdon Tn Res 0.

Div 5: Didcot Eagles 5 (G Austin 2, J Slipper, D Esplin, D McGirr), Hagbourne Utd Res 0; Hungerford Tn Swifts Res 8 (K Dundas 6, J Way, T Fishlock), Hanney 66 Club 0; Marcham Res 2 (S Shahab, M Webb), Wallingford Tn A 6 (H Voice 2, J Capel 2, D Woodley); Sutton Courtenay Res 5 (C Stewart 2, C Dann, P Brodzinski, J Gilsenan), Grove Rgrs Res 0; Uffington Utd Res 3 (J Quinton, C Pentecost, P Byrne), Burghclere Res 3 (B Kirkham, S Phipps, A Baillie).

War Memorial Cup: Grove Rgrs 5 (G Summersbee 2, M Cramp, W McDonald, A Pickering), Compton 2 (C Baker 2).