Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts’ Cherwell League Division 2 promotion chase suffered a dent in a shock home defeat by Aston Rowant 2nd on Saturday.

Chris Leaney was the architect of the their’ defeat with a match-winning performance.

Leaney, who finished with 7-46, ripped through the Nondies middle order to leave the home side with a below-par total of 153 to defend.

Pablo Mukherjee (35) and Chris Day (30) had briefly threatened to wrestle back control, but the innings fell away once both had been stumped by David Ridgley.

Rowant made a decent start in reply, with the efforts of openers George Reid (34) and Tom Condon (30) backed up by Andrew Tolson (47).

By the time Mark Strong took three wickets, the game was almost won, and the visitors wrapped up victory with 5.2 overs to spare.

Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 9pts, Aston Rowant 2nd 25

Twyford’s woes in Division 1 continued as lost by 89 runs at home to Banbury 2nd.

Former Oxfordshire opener Andrew Sabin stroked 80 as the visitors racked up 230-7 after choosing to bat.

He was ably supported by Ed Phillips (37) and Justin Lambden (33).

Shahid Mahmood made 41 after the interval, but Steve Hart (4-13) and Josh Hill (46) despatched Twyford for 141.

Twyford 5, Banbury 2nd 25

Daniel Murphy’s 74 was in vain as Bicester & North Oxford lost by three wickets at Division 3 leaders Great & Little Tew 2nd.

Tew had slumped to 129-6 before Sam Smith hit 54 not out to secure the win.

Earlier, Murphy’s half-century saw Bicester post 231-5.

Gt & L Tew 2nd 25pts, Bicester & North Oxford 12

Twyford 2nd held their nerve in a tense run chase to knock Abingdon Vale 2nd off the top of Division 5.

The hosts posted 176, in which Chris Lim contributed 59 and Ian Perna took 5-33.

Luke Mitchell (4-26) and Matthew Butcher (3-63) looked like bowling Vale to victory, but Sam Lyon (72no) and some late lusty blows took Twyford to 177-7 with 13 balls to spare.

Abingdon Vale 2nd 10pts, Twyford 2nd 25

Ken Cronshaw’s undefeated 103 for Twyford 3rd could not force a home win against Abi-ngdon Vale 4th in Division 10.

Twyford 3rd 20, Abingdon 4th

RESULTS

Division 1

Banbury 2nd 230-7 (A Sabin 80, E Phillips 37, J Lambden 33), Twyford 141 (S Mahmood 41, Hart 4-13, J Hill 4-46).

Division 2

Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 153 (P Mukherkee 35, C Day 30, C Leaney 7-46), Aston Rowant 2nd 154-7 (A Tolson 47, G Reid 34, T Condon 30, M Strong 3-56).

Division 3

Bicester & North Oxford 231-5 (D Murphy 74, R Simpson 39, N Moorman 32, M Collins 32, K Taylor 3-55), Great & Little Tew 2nd 232-7 (S Smith 54no, S Barnes 40, J Haggett 39, D Savin 3-51).

Division 5

Abingdon Vale 2nd 176 (C Lim 59, D Atcherley-Symes 36, I Perna 5-33, S Roberts 3-34), Twyford 2nd 177-7 (S Lyon 72no, L Mitchell 4-26, M Butcher 3-63).

Division 6

Aston Rowant 3rd 239-2 (G Storton 163no, J Atkins 35no), Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd 149 (L Quainton 4-32).

Division 8

Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd 236-6 (A Prior-Wandesforde 92no, B Walker 46), Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 3rd 154 (M West 48, D Holley 37, R Seymour 6-62).

Division 10

Twyford 3rd 251-5 (K Cronshaw 103no), Abingdon Vale 4th 199-9 (P Rallings 44, R Matthews 32).

SATURDAY FIXTURES

Div 1: Oxford Downs v Twyford.

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

Div 3: Bicester & North Oxford v Buckingham Town 2nd.

Div 5: Twyford 2nd v Brackley.

Div 6: Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd v Challow & Childrey 2nd.

Div 7: Didcot 3rd v Bicester & NO 2nd.

Div 8: Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 3rd v Cumnor 3rd.

Div 10: Bicester 3rd v Didcot 4th, Challow & Childrey 3rd v Twyford 3rd.