Aston Rowant remain in relegation trouble in Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 1 following a nine-run defeat at home to Henley, whose victory saw them retain the title.

Rowant are now six points above the drop zone, with one game to go, after the bottom two, Gerrards Cross and Harefield, lost to Burnham and High Wycombe respectively.

Henley were restricted to 190 all out after being put in to bat.

Runs were hard to come by against Rowant’s opening attack of Wes Morrick, who took 1-19 off his ten overs, and Karl Penhale.

Opener David Barnes played the anchor role with 58 from 110 balls, which included three fours.

But the innings rather fell away as former Henley leg spinner Tahir Kazmi took 5-36 against his old club.

After the early loss of Tim Morgan, Rowant made a bold bid to get the runs.

Dan Matthews led the way with his 52 from 88 deliveries containing eight fours.

When he was trapped lbw by Gurveer Singh, Rowant were 96-4.

Josh Smith then took the game to Henley, but Rowant found Singh hard to score off as the Berkshire left-arm spinner took 4-20 from his ten overs.

Tahir Afridi then returned to take the wickets of Smith, Morrick and Penhale as Rowant fell short at 181-9.

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