A DEVASTATING spell of 5-24 in 13.3 overs by Dharmendra Patel set up Oxford 2nd's shock victory over title favourites Aston Rowant.

Patel combined with Nathan Absolam (4-36) to send Rowant spinning to 133 all out after they batted first.

Only Aussie Andrew Hicks, who struggled to 40 from 91 balls, provided much in the way of resistance.

Oxford were then in trouble in reply against Simon Bird, who took 4-26 from 15 overs.

But John Barrett's rapid 52 from 40 deliveries, which included seven fours and three sixes, took the home side to 134-7.

Oxford 2nd 30pts, Aston Rowant 12.

Rowant stay top, but only by one point from Banbury Twenty, who enjoyed a fine win on their travels to Milton Keynes Park.

Not for the first time, former Oxfordshire captain Keith Arnold was Twenty's talisman, taking 6-27 from 13.5 overs as Park were rolled over for a meagre 116.

Ghufran Mohammed top scored with 39 to add to his earlier 5-34 in Twenty's 170 all out.

John Wright made 39, while Dave Clark hit an aggressive 56 for Twenty.

Milton Keynes Pk 14, Banbury XX 30.

Oxford Downs closed to within two points of top spot after recording their first win at the expense of Challow & Childrey.

Challow were quickly in trouble and were grateful to Will Clarke and Mike Konschel, who both hit 35 to build a partial recovery.

But once Konschel went hit wicket, trying to defend his stumps the home side had no answer to the pace of Downs' South African quickie Goolam Bhayat, who took 5-12 in seven overs.

Opener Chris Sandbach (37) began the reply well, adding 87 for the third wicket with Luke List (54), and despite losing three batsman late on, victory was Downs'.

Challow & Childrey 10, Oxford Downs 30.

Danny Harding's 106 set up Banbury 2nd's first top flight win an eight-wicket triumph against Dinton.

Harding dominated an opening stand of more than 100 as Banbury cruised to 189-2 with 11 overs to spare.

For Dinton, only Paul Atkins (90) showed any form as they were restricted to 185-9, Ollie Murrey taking 3-52.

Banbury 2nd 30, Dinton 9.

Shipton-under-Wych- wood made just 139 all out in their eight-wicket loss at Buckingham Town.

Only Paul Hemming (31) prospered against some tidy bowling from James Gear (4-17) and Jimad Khan (3-31).

Town were never in danger of slipping up as Lee Tomlinson (52no) and Rob Large (49) saw them home with more than 16 overs to spare.

Buckingham Town 30, Shipton-under-Wychwood 7.