OXFORD & Bletchingdon Nondescripts struck a major blow in the battle to avoid the drop in Cherwell League Division 2, opening up a 25-point gap over rivals Didcot thanks to a six-wicket victory on Saturday.

Didcot were shot out for just 32, courtesy of a sensational spell from Atif Ali, who took 7-14 in 11.5 overs.

The other wickets fell to Mark Strong and Irfan Ahmed, before Ali trapped No 11 David Slade lbw.

Openers Jonathan Guthrie and Pablo Mukherjee both fell cheaply, but Ali completed an excellent all-round performance, steering Nondies to victory in the 12th over with 22 not out.

Twyford were outgunned by Cumnor as they fell to a 133-run defeat in Division 1.

Cumnor set a new club record as they racked up an enormous 386-7, Joe Dale leading the way with 80, alongside Devane Warner (77) and Mark Farmer (51).

Twyford rattled along at more than six an over, but fell to 253 all out as Max Mannering took 4-89 and Jamie Curtis 3-33.

In Division 3, Bicester & North Oxford were beaten by 88 runs at Banbury 3rd.

Tom Hill and Bradley Taylor both struck 57 to lead the hosts to 218 all out and despite Daniel Savin’s 37, Bicester could only muster 130 in reply.

A five-wicket haul from Ben Clark helped Bicester & North Oxford 2nd to a 38-run victory at home to Buckingham Town 3rd in Division 7.

Earlier, Daniel Clark hit 84 and Mike Simpson 45 in Bicester’s 243-6, before Ben Clark returned 5-65 as Buckingham were bowled out for 205.

RESULTS

Division 1

Cumnor 386-7 (J Dale 80, D Warner 77, M Farmer 51, M Lake 46, J Washbourn 42no, B Afzal 4-86), Twyford 253 (B Afzal 48, T Nadeem 43no, S Mahmood 40).

Division 2

Didcot 32 (A Ali 7-14), Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 36-4.

Division 3

Banbury 3rd 218 (T Hill 57, B Taylor 57, R Simpson 4-86), Bicester & North Oxford 130 (D Savin 37, B Taylor 3-34, J Risbridger 3-34).

Division 5

Oxford 3rd w/o Twyford 2nd.

Division 7

Bicester & North Oxford 2nd 243-6 (D Clark 84, M Simpson 45), Buckingham Town 3rd 205 (F Johnson 83, E McDade 44, B Clark 5-65).

Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd 136 (I Gregor 31, H Moon 3-10, A Rahman 3-31), Horspath 4th 132 (M Aslan 3-39).

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES

Div 1: Great Brickhill v Twyford.

Div 2: Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts v Challow & Childrey.

Div 3: Bicester & North Oxford v Cublington.

Div 5: Twyford 2nd v East Oxford.

Div 7: Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd v Bicester & North Oxford 2nd, Oxford 4th v Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd.