Abingdon Vale have contested the result of their home match with Great & Little Tew, believing they were deprived of a draw by an umpires' ruling.

As the clock ticked past 7.30pm and the scheduled finish of play, Vale thought they had secured a draw with nine wickets down. But the umpires ordered play to continue, the final wicket fell and Tew were awarded the match.

Vale spokesman Paul White said: “Abingdon Vale dispute the allocation of what became the final over, which started beyond 7.30pm.

“The panel umpires exercised discretion following a ten-minute break in play due to an injured umpire. This is despite league playing regulations not allowing for this. We therefore believe a draw should be the outcome.”

Earlier, Tew had declared on 236-5 with Andy Smith finishing on 68 not out. Mike Cook scored 42 in Vale's 157.

Abingdon Vale 4pts, Gt & Lit Tew 25.

If Tew's win is allowed to stand they will join Bourton Vale at the top after Bourton were beaten by six wickets at Challow & Childrey – who are breathing down their necks in third.

Nick Meadows's 89 saw Challow to 183-4 in reply to Bourton's 180-8..

Challow 25, Bourton Vale 7 Glen Matthews hit 13 fours and four sixes in a fine 103 against Sandford St Martin – but his Hanborough side still slumped to their tenth defeat in 11 starts to stay rooted to the foot of the table.

Matthews was ninth man out after facing 128 balls and leading a recovery from 9-4 to a final total of 183 all out.

Greg Pearson (5-42) and Richard Murrey (4-28) did the damage for Sandford, who cruised to 184-4, with Paul Tanner 48 not out.

Sandford 25, Hanborough 7.

Banbury 2nd are still in the promotion mix after beating lowly Long Marston by five wickets.

Chris Board took 5-22 and Steve Beck 4-22 as Marston limped to 146 all out after electing to bat. Mike Lyons (55) was the only batsman to get going.

Teenager Lloyd Sabin then struck 48 as the hosts eased to victory with five wickets down.

Banbury 2nd 25, L Marston 7.

Tiddington bought themselves a little extra breathing space at the bottom by drawing at home to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts.

A second-wicket stand worth 103 between Riaan Krynauw (90no) and Will Goodman (70) gave the home side control of the match as they posted 235-6.

Nondies scored slowly in reply, with Tim Rattigan hitting 57 and Mark Strong 43 not out, before smashing 38 from the final four overs to finish on 203-7.

Tiddington 14, Ox & Bletch Non 8.