THE battle for top spot in the Adkin Cherwell League Division 1 intensified as Banbury fought out a tense draw at home to leaders Bicester and North Oxford.

Banbury, who went into the game just a point adrift of their rivals, were aiming to take advantage of a grassy pitch by bowling first, but most of the Bicester batsmen contributed to their total of 164-9, despite Mark Rorich taking 5-63.

In reply, Bicester opened as usual with their spinners who managed to contain all but Craig Haupt.

But then paceman Richard Whitton justified his first-team selection by dismissing Haupt for 69 before ripping through the middle order to take 4-15 and leave Banbury teetering on the brink of defeat at 146-9.

l Banbury 4, Bicester & North Oxford 16

Oxford eased into third spot with a five-wicket win over Leighton Buzzard at Jesus College.

Seamer Mark Murfett (5-47) rocked Leighton, but a fourth-wicket stand between Mark Mardell (47) and Paul Johnston (40) rescued them from 29-3 as they made 158 all out. In reply, Oxford were reduced to 35-2, but then skipper Pat Jobson and Ian Belcher (43 no) steadied the ship and fought off Johnston (4-60) to claim victory at 160-5 with an over to spare.

l Oxford 30, Leighton Buzzard 11

Bottom club Thame chalked up their first win of the season at Aylesbury - but still remain at the foot of the table.

Nigel Farrow (73), Paul Atkins (55) and James Gear (52 no) helped Aylesbury to a healthy 214-5.

But Thame skipper Rob Brooks gave notice of his side's intentions with a crisp 51 and Lachlan (51 no) saw them home at 218-8.

l Aylesbury 17, Thame 30

Bourton Vale also posted their first win of the season after gambling on putting Banbury Twenty in to bat and dismissing them for 153 off the penultimate ball of their innings.

Charlie Knightley did most of the damage with 5-60 as Duncan Mitchell top-scored with 45.

Keith Mustow (63 no) and Paul Lazenbury (51) then took Bourton to victory at 154-4 in the 46th over.

l Bourton Vale 30, Banbury Twenty 10

Shipton-under-Wychwood had the better part of a draw against visitors Rover Cowley, scoring 193-8 thanks to the contributions of Chris Barrass (42 no), Paul Hemming (40) and Steve Bates (34), as Reg Finch took 5-55.

Shahbaz Ali hit 32 as Rover went for the runs, but the loss of wickets to Paul Snell (5-30) necessitated a change in tactics.

With the draw secured, Finch attempted to dispatch the last ball for six to earn his team an extra batting point, but was bowled to leave the score at 156-9.

l Shipton-under-Wychwood 17, Rover Cowley 14

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