Ryan Newhook claimed a hat-trick in the final over of the match – but could not capture the fourth wicket Shipton-under-Wychwood needed to beat Oxford 2nd in Division 1 of the MP Sports Cherwell League.

Shipton had posted 223-7 from their innings, which was reduced to 44 overs by a rain delay.

Craig Wood had top-scored with 41, before Stefan Van Dyk (44) did the same for Oxford.

The visitors’ hopes ended when Jason Hunt took 4-8 from seven overs, and the game seemed sure to peter out into a tame draw with Oxford 169-6 at the start of their 39th and final over.

But Newhook’s hat-trick left them clinging on for two balls to prevent Shipton gaining maximum points.

Shipton 20pts, Oxford 2nd 6

Runaway leaders Oxford Downs kept their winning streak going with a routine victory over Leighton Buzzard Town.

Town chose to bat and managed a respectable 209-8, of which Tom Light contributed 59.

Justin Cantrill (38) gave Downs a decent start before Andrew Buckingham (73no) and Will Watts (38no) steered the home side to 210-3 and their sixth straight win.

Ox Downs 25, Leighton Buzzard 7

Cumnor are up to second after beating Bletchley Town by six wickets in a match between two in-form sides.

Graham Simpson (55) was the mainstay of Town’s 152 all out as Joe Shillaker took 4-36 and Adam Cook 3-50.

Cumnor captain Sam Jones continued his good run with 38 as the visitors eased to 156-4 to clinch their fourth consecutive win.

Bletchley Town 6, Cumnor 25

Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts returned to winning ways courtesy of their winter signings Shabaz Alam, who slammed 102, and Ayaz Khan, who crashed 62 in their new side’s 209-7.

Great & Little Tew’s slim chances evaporated with the dismissal of keeper Ashley Hubbert (42), as Alam took 3-43 and skipper Mark Strong 3-45 to dismiss the visitors for 146.

Ox & Bletch Nondescripts 25, Great & Little Tew 5 Bourton Vale came within one wicket of securing their first win of the season, but Buckingham Town’s final pair just managed to hang on.

Thrashed in both their previous home matches, Vale lost the toss and struggled to 165 all out against James Gear (4-65).

Town collapsed to 127-9 against Ed Shaw (3-64) and Ryan Hill (3-19) but their last pair came to the rescue.

Bourton Vale 18, Buckingham 6