CRICKET: Rowant hang on

5:06pm Monday 18th August 2008

Cumnor captain Carl Thompson took 5-55 to bowl his side to within one wicket of victory over leaders Aston Rowant and a return to the top of Division 1.

But Rowant clung on for a draw with their last pair at the crease to stay ahead by just five points.

Put in to bat, Cumnor got off to an excellent start as Dan Gaunt (83) and Andrew Robertson (73) added 141 for the second wicket.

But a middle-order collapse inspired by Wes Morrick (4-91) meant the hosts had to settle for a total of 239-6.

After tea, Alex Jewell (65) and Chris Watling (52) put on 113 in a second-wicket partnership, before Rowant fell away to 206-9.

The visitors were docked five points for failing to provide a scorer.

Cumnor 17pts, Aston Rowant 4

Bicester & North Oxford missed the chance to go top when they slumped to a three-wicket defeat at home to Oxford 2nd.

Aussie keeper Andrew House hit 53 for Bicester, but his teammates struggled to 163 all out against spinner Shami Mendis (3-55) and the swing of Richard Beer (3-34).

Tim Marcon then hit an enterprising 45 and Mendis 31 as Oxford scrambled their way to 166-7.

Bicester & North Oxford 10, Oxford 2nd 25

Great & Little Tew are now resigned to relegation after losing to Oxford Downs by 72 runs to leave themselves 50 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Downs' Oxfordshire all-rounder Chris Sandbach almost beat Tew on his own, smashing 117 in his side's 176-7, and then taking 3-7 as Tew crumbled to 104 all out.

Yet again Lloyd Brock was the only Tew player to perform with distinction, taking 3-62.

Great & Little Tew 4, Oxford Downs 25

Banbury Twenty are in deep relegation trouble after collecting just three points from a heavy defeat at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood, who now look safe from the drop.

Only Tim Pearce (40) could get to grip with spinners Dickon Morris, who took 6-25, and Shaun Miller (3-37), as Twenty posted a meagre 129.

Sahan Wijeratne then stroked an unbeaten 49 as the visitors cruised to 132-2.

Banbury XX 3, Shipton-under-Wychwood 25

Banbury 2nd look like they will be left to dispute the second relegation place with town rivals Twenty after they could only manage a draw at home to Horspath.

Visiting skipper Robbie Eason led from the front in hitting a fine 109 not out in his side's 214-4. Matthew O'Connor provided invaluable support with a useful 52.

Youngster Sam Ryan, brother of Oxfordshire spinner Luke, then hit 49 and Wayne Hazell 35 in Banbury's reply, but Dean Creed took 5-82 to leave them well short on 142-8.

Banbury 2nd 6, Horspath 15

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