Abingdon Vale pulled off a surprise 84-run victory at Cherwell League Division 2 leaders Twyford on Saturday to breathe new life into their own slim promotion chances.

The match featured two of the league’s leading exponents of left-arm spin, Bilal Afzal of Twyford and Paul White of Abingdon Vale.

Afzal came out on top when the sides met in May, taking 5-40, while White managed 4-62 as Twyford closed out an easy win by 61 runs.

It was a similar story on Saturday, when Afzal bagged 6-63 and White captured only 3-54.

But Afzal’s teammates had a collective off-day, allowing Vale to compile 238-8 from their 53 overs through opener James Boon (53) and skipper Graham Charlesworth (72).

Abingdon seamer Joe Butcher has waited a while for his chance in the first team, but has grabbed it with both hands since getting the nod a fortnight ago. He took 4-39 against Aston Rowant 2nd on debut and claimed 3-35 in his second appearance as Twyford fell away to 154 all out despite Zawar Hussain’s 55.

The hosts stay top, having won one more match than Challow & Childrey, who have secured the same number of points. * Twyford 5pts, Abingdon Vale 25.

Oxford Downs 2nd thrashed Sandford St Martin by 116 runs to push their opponents even closer to the relegation trapdoor.

Matty Watts smashed an unbeaten 113 and Wes Bartlett 67 as Downs racked up 265-6 before declaring after 48 overs.

Henry Portman’s 43 was the sole bright point for Sandford who slumped to 149 all out against Johnny Law (4-20).

* Sandford 4, Oxford Downs 2nd 25.

Challow & Childrey joined Twyford at the top of the table despite slipping to a three-wicket defeat at Wolverton Town.

Conor Taylor took 6-70 for Challow, but was powerless to stop Town reaching 181-7 with 6.5 overs to spare. Zahoor Ur-Rehman’s 95 was the difference between the two sides.

Earlier, Adam Tucker had hit 48 in Challow’s 180 all out.

* Wolverton 25pts, Challow 10.

Oxford 2nd closed in on the top two but were denied victory at Aston Rowant 2nd by an unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket.

Ben Mills (96no) and Leigh Lewis (80no) led Rowant to 219-5 and safety after their reply to Oxford’s 245-5 got off to a shaky start.

The visitors’ innings had featured an unbeaten 77 by Taylor Beatty.

* Aston Rowant 2nd 7, Oxford 2nd 25.

Tiddington gave Long Marston a mauling to secure their first win since June 2.

Will Cooper scored 100 not out before the home side declared after 49 overs on 256-5. Marston never looked like getting close as Matt Maule claimed 6-49 to reduce the visitors to 154 all out.

* Tiddington 25, Long Marston 4.