JOE Butcher starred with bat and ball as Abingdon Vale maintained their Cherwell League Division 2 promotion challenge with a convincing 75-run victory at Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts on Saturday.

A 45-run opening stand between the consistent Amith Premkumar (46) and Terry Groome set the tone for Vale’s innings, before No 4 Butcher hit five fours and three sixes in his 67 not out.

Graham Charlesworth added a quickfire 43 from 32 balls in a knock containing four fours and a six, sharing an unbroken stand of 91 for the sixth wicket with Butcher as Vale finished up on 220-5 from their 53 overs.

In reply, Butcher took 3-36 from 8.3 overs, while spin duo Paul White (4-48) and Jonathan Jenkinson (3-49) bowled superbly in tandem.

Only Chris Day, at No 7, really got to grips with the Vale attack, hitting nine boundaries in his 37, but Nondies quickly subsided to 145 all out.

Challow & Childrey also maintained their title challenge with a six-wicket win at home to bottom side Oxford 2nd.

George Trewby claimed 5-30 and John Pechey 4-46 as Oxford were bowled out for 187, before Pechey completed a fine all-round display with a 65 to help Challow to 188-4 with five balls to spare.

Didcot closed the gap at the top of Division 3 thanks to an impressive five-wicket win at Cublington.

Ian Demain claimed 5-26 as Cublington were shot out for 126 in 38.5 overs, before Connor Morrison hit 50 to steer his side to 127-5.

Warren Ainsworth’s six-wicket haul helped Blewbury & Wallingford to a 92-run victory at home to Tiddington 2nd.

Blewbury & Wallingford set 248 all out as Ian Harris struck 50 and Mark Carey 44, Patrick Knightley taking 5-40 and J Elliott 5-57.

Knightley then scored 78 in Tiddington’s reply, but a superb haul of 6-42 from Ainsworth sent the visitors crashing to 156 all out.

Kingston Bagpuize’s improved form continued as their 131-run win at Didcot 2nd moved them out of the Division 5 drop zone.

Marco Cecchini (53) helped Kingston to 224 all out, Kunal Patel taking 4-36 for the hosts.

Youngster Jonathan Warner then claimed 4-14 and veteran Richard Woodley 3-7 to help dismiss Didcot for just 93.

Abingdon Vale 2nd went down by five wickets at home to league leaders Thame Town 2nd.

Luke Charlesworth hit 69 in Vale’s 171-9, but it wasn’t enough as Thame eased home at 172-5, thanks to Mark Furness’ 60 not out.

In Division 6, Challow & Childrey 2nd were crushed by ten wickets at the hands of hosts Aston Rowant 3rd.

Challow were all out for 135, before Chris Easton led the home side to 136-0 with an unbeaten century.

Mark Cox hit a brilliant 127 for Blewbury & Wallingford 2nd as they beat hosts Abingdon Vale 4th by 121 runs in Division 9 South.

Blewbury declared on 244-4, and then dismissed their hosts for 123.