Byfield took another step towards retaining their SNCL Premier Division title after a straightforward six-wicket win over bottom of the table Thornborough.
Simon Oxley (32) and Chris Horsler (23) made the only meaningful contributions as Thornborough were bowled out for 97 batting first, a target that Byfield chased down with six wickets in hand to keep them top of the table, 28 points clear of Warwick University Staff.
Evenley are fourth despite losing by seven wickets against Middleton Cheney, who jump up to fifth. Batting first, Evenley could only muster 107 all out as Andy Cross took 5-8. Middleton Cheney had few problems in reply to earn the maximum 20 points.
In Division One, Nathan Cox struck an unbeaten 90 as Charlton took full advantage of Evenley A’s defeat to go top.
Cox was well supported by Olly Johnson (42no) as Charlton scored 221-5 before bowling Woodford Halse out for 176 with Ellis Rush taking 5-41. Evenley were beaten by Willoughby despite Dave Holden scoring 54 and Neil Bellingham taking 4-49.
Greens Norton kept themselves in the promotion hunt as Matt Yuill scored 111 in their 73-run win over Grange Park, but Hinton-in-the-Hedges’ struggles continue, they were beaten by six wickets against Afro Caribbean despite Shaun Gardiner’s unbeaten 87.
Leading Division Two now are MK Air after they beat Marston St Lawrence and Dunchurch & Bilton lost to Hanslope, while Croughton are fourth after Darren Atkins (109no) and Richard Wetherill (77no) helped them to a thumping 136-run win over Crown.
Division Three leaders King’s Sutton appear to be cruising to the title with their 11th successive win putting them 55 points clear. This time they beat Priors by four wickets after Brody Chequer’s 86 and Wayne Sellwood’s 4-64. Cameron Waldron’s 63 helped second-placed Gayton to a 62-run win over Bodicote A, while Silverstone remain third following their victory over Woodford Halse with Hugh Williams (4-29) impressing.
Syresham A, meanwhile, are bottom after a crushing 133-run defeat to Sibford.
In Division Four, Towcestrians continue to lead the way as they beat Maids Moreton by one wicket, with Helmdon third following Chris Lipson’s 6-17 in a win over Radway A.
Finally, in Division Five, third-placed Evenley B kept alive their hopes of promotion courtesy of a 72-run win against Thornborough as Jack Henn took 4-12, but Hinton-in-the-Hedges A remain hot on their tail after their six-wicket success at Preston Capes.
Elsewhere, however, Brackley were bowled out for just 110 and subsequently lost by 10-wickets to Preston Bissett, and Silverstone A were beaten by Braunston Paddox.
Saturday, July 17, Premier Division fixtures: Byfield v Evenley, Wroxton v Syresham, Marston St Lawrence v Thornborough, Middleton Cheney v Castlethorpe, Radway v Warwick Uni Staff.
Division One: Charlton v Willoughby, Afro Caribbean v Grange Park, Bodicote v Woodford Halse, Evenley A v Hinton-in-the-Hedges, Greens Norton v Byfield A.
Division Two: Croughton v Marston St Lawrence A, MK Air v Hanslope, Dunchurch & Bilton v Preston Bissett, Preston Capes v Crown.
Division Three: Priors Marston v Bodicote A, Gayton v Silverstone, Syresham A v King’s Sutton, Woodford Halse A v Gawcott & Hillesden.