GRAHAM SCOTT'S MATCH OF THE DAY

JOE Butcher dismissed Olly Dimbylow with the sixth ball of the final over to clinch Abingdon Vale’s first Division 2 win of the season at the expense of Challow & Childrey.

Butcher had enjoyed no success during his opening spell, but returned to take four wickets and finish with 4-39 from 13 overs.

Vale’s victory owed much to a miserly spell from left-arm spinner Paul White, who not only took three wickets, but also tied up one end while conceding only 19 runs from 14 overs.

Challow never built a decent partnership and were eventually all out for 130.

Earlier the visitors had chosen to bat and were soon in trouble when makeshift opener Jonathan Cummings went without scoring and Michael Howe-Davies lasted little longer.

But Amith Premkumar (50) took the attack to the hosts and tailender Chris Darley dashed to 36 as Vale reached a defendable 166-9 from 48 overs.

The wickets were shared between Nigel Hill (3-19) and Joe Harris (3-25).

Neither of these sides look like challenging at the top end of the table, and with the season almost halfway over, the rest of the summer could prove to be a battle against the drop.

This result may yet prove crucial in determining whether either starts next year in Division 3.

Challow & Childrey 6pts, Abingdon Vale 25

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