Abingdon Vale suffered a dramatic last-over defeat by Bledlow Ridge in a match that could decide the destiny of the Division 2 title.

The match between the sides at Abingdon in May finished tied after both sides were bowled out for 123, and on Saturday the teams nearly managed a repeat.

Vale struggled to 122-8 from their 50 overs as all their batsmen found the going tough against spinner Chris Welsh (6-51).

Rain then reduced Ridge's reply to 37 overs, and Mike Cook continued his good form with the ball by taking 3-22.

But Russell Turner hit a matchwinning 78 and the home side scrambled their way to 123-7 off the penultimate ball of the final over.

Bledlow therefore went above Vale at the top of the table by virtue of acquiring more bonus points.

Bledlow Ridge 30pts, Abingdon 12.

At the other end of the table, Challow & Childrey and Morris Motors Exiles fought out a draw that kept Challow 29 points ahead of their relegation rivals.

Put into bat the Exiles were well placed when opener Ali Shah hit 49, Sid Khan 39 and Mansoor Abbasi 41.

But spinner Jimmy Phillips (5-36) and Aussie Mike Philipson (4-43) led a fight back that saw them reduced to 169 all out in the 44th over.

A shower reduced Challow's reply to 44 overs, and their flying start was interrupted by further rain which cost them six more overs.

Philipson hit a quickfire 82 in the play that was possible, but a further downpour with the score on 139-5 after 27 overs meant the match was abandoned Challow 7 Morris Motors 12.

Horspath beat the downpours and Leighton Buzzard Town to climb back up to third in the table Dean Creed took 4-33 and left-armer Ben Cook 4-23 as Horspath reduced Town to 148 all out.

Robbie Eason's 42 and 35 from Phil Chanel helped Horspath to 152-7 in the 42nd over.

L Buzzard 13, Horspath 30.

Tiddington were in all sorts of trouble on 81-7 after 26 overs at Oxford 2nd before rain came to their rescue.

Richard Beer had taken 3-34 from 13 overs of gentle away swingers and Ben Thornton had hit 42 from 52 balls before rain stopped play.

Oxford 2nd 10, Tiddington 10.

No play was possible between Kingston Bagpuize and Bourton Vale.