CHERWELL LEAGUE

Division 2

JOE Butcher claimed his maiden five-wicket haul for Abingdon Vale’s 1st XI as they started the season with a four-wicket win over Cropredy at Hales Meadow.

Danny Hartley took 4-37 to rip the heart out of the visitors’ top order as Vale started well.

Veteran Hartley was well-supported by youngster Butcher, who claimed 5-38 as Cropredy stumbled to 121-9 from 49 rain-affected overs.

Only a late flurry from Tony Vickers (40no) gave their bowlers something to defend.

As rain clouds circled, the loss of three early wickets bought Charles Smook to the crease, and his 39 got Vale close.

Although another three quick wickets saw a nervous conclusion as James Coleman (3-38) found his length, Vale reached 122-6 in the 34th over.

Abingdon Vale 25pts, Cropredy 7

Challow & Childrey crashed to 69 all out at Wolverton Town, who promptly cruised to a nine-wicket win.

Idrees Butt did most of the damage, taking 7-24 as all bar Aussie import Luke Stutter (20) struggled in the damp conditions.

Atif Akhlaq then hit 37 not out as Town used up only 18 of their overs.

Wolverton 25, Challow & Childrey 1

Sam Hollingshead claimed 5-21 in an outstanding 15-over spell as Aston Rowant 2nd crawled to 132 all out from 52.5 overs at home to Tiddington.

Dominic Whatman was left stranded on 47 not out when the final wicket fell.

Rowant fought back after tea through Gordon Harris (3-34), and the game was evenly poised with Will Cooper on 38 and Tiddington on 93-5 with 21 overs remaining when rain stopped play.

Aston Rowant 2nd 13, Tiddington 5

The match between Bledlow Village and Cumnor was similarly balanced when play was cut short.

Village had posted 201 all out from 49.3 overs, thanks in the main to Adam Mould’s 89 and Ollie Woodward’s useful 30.

Veteran seamer Carl Thompson (4-67) and Afghan all-rounder Ali Morteza (3-5) were the pick of the visitors’ attack.

Nas Kuttiyan then raced to 98 for Cumnor, who were 162-5 in the 29th over when the match was halted.

Bledlow Village 15, Cumnor 8

Only 16 overs of play were possible at Bletchley Town, who reached 36-1 against Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts.

Bletchley Town 6, Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 6