DIDCOT and derby rivals Challow & Childrey fought out a draw in a dramatic Cherwell League Division 2 contest at Boundary Park on Saturday.

Chasing a victory target of 171, Challow closed on 162-8 at the end of a fluctuating contest.

Batting first, Didcot were indebted to Elliott Matthews, who top-scored with 49 as they reached 170-8 in their 53 overs.

Matthews was one of five victims for Ross Packham, who finished with 5-50 in 12 overs.

Led by skipper Ryan Gordon’s 42, Challow were well-placed at 106-3 in reply.

But in a dramatic colapsed they slipped to 109-6, Jordan Morrison (3-26) taking three quick wickets

Justin Penrose (39) and Ollie Dimbylow (33) put on 50 for the seventh wicket, but both were out as they finished nine runs short of victory.

Abingdon Vale could not overcome a top all-round display from Bilal Afzal, which helped Twyford to a four-wicket win in Division 1.

Vale posted 218 all out in 44.3 overs, Sam Chilvers hitting 53 not out and opener Amith Premkumar making 47, as Afzal took 7-61.

Twyford reached 219-6 to wrap it up in the 39th over as Afzal struck 58 and Muhammad Asif Shah 57.

Abingdon Vale 2nd went top of Division 5 after easing to a 77-run win at home to Didcot 2nd at Hales Meadow.

Arthur Jones (35), Robert Hood (33) and Max Owen (30no) helped Vale to 205-7 in their 53 overs.

Skipper Matthew Darley then continued his good recent form with the ball, claiming 4-49 as Didcot were shot out for 128.

Stuart Bullen’s outstanding figures of 5-8 helped Kingston Bagpuize record a five-wicket win at Bledlow Ridge.

Ridge were bowled out for 135, despite 59 from Ben Keeping.

Kingston than cruised to 137-5 in the 33rd over as James Boon hit 57.

Challow & Childrey 2nd had the better of a high-scoring draw at home to Twyford 2nd in Division 6.

The hosts reached 235 all out, Chris Warboys hitting 68 and Sam Roberts taking 5-60.

Tanveer Nadeem then struck an excellent 103 not out, but Twyford finished just short on 220-9.

DIVISION 1

P W D L A Bon Pts

Dinton 5 4 0 1 0 7 107

Banbury 2nd 5 3 0 1 1 8 89

Oxford Downs 5 2 1 1 1 19 78

Long Marston 5 2 1 1 1 14 73

Tiddington 5 2 0 2 1 16 72

Twyford 5 2 0 2 1 11 67

Cumnor 5 1 1 2 1 28 65

Abingdon Vale 5 1 0 3 1 27 58

A Rowant 2nd 5 1 1 2 1 16 47

Horspath 2nd 5 0 2 3 0 34 40

DIVISION 2

P W D L A Bon Pts

Bledlow Village 5 3 1 0 1 12 99

Buckinghm 2nd 5 2 2 1 0 29 90

Cropredy 5 2 1 1 1 26 88

Challow & C 5 2 2 0 1 14 73

L Buzzard Tn 5 2 0 2 1 16 72

Didcot 5 1 2 1 1 25 59

*Great Tew 2nd 5 1 2 2 0 24 50

Ox & B Non 5 1 0 3 1 12 43

Oxford 2nd 5 0 2 2 1 32 43

Sandford St M 5 1 0 3 1 11 42