OXFORD Downs 2nd recovered from 90-8 to win without further loss at Bicester & North Oxford in Division 3.

Chasing the home side’s meagre effort of 127 all out, Downs were deep in trouble before Nick Rivett and Tim Hook steadied their side’s nerves and closed out the win.

Bicester skipper Nick Moorman had led from the front, hitting 54 while those around him crumbled.

After a slow but steady start in the face of some tight seam bowling, Bicester went from 40-1 to 82-6, with Steve Roberts (6-35) in the wickets yet again for the visitors.

Scoring runs proved difficult throughout, with 19 of the 52 completed overs being maidens.

Shahin Ali then gave the hosts hope with an excellent opening spell that yielded five of the first six wickets to fall. Only Paddy Daniel (32) of the top order lasted for long.

Bicester were favourites when Daniel Clark picked up two quick wickets to leave Downs 39 runs short of victory, but Rivett (19no) and Hook (14no) saw them home.

Bicester will need to improve if they are to avoid the drop back down to Division 4 this term.

Downs’ second string were unlucky to be relegated last year. They had more games abandoned than anyone else, won as many as they lost, and finished only one point from safety.

Now up to second, they could easily bounce back at the first opportunity.

Bic & N Ox 9pts, Ox Downs 2nd 25