RAMEEZ Raja produced another batting masterclass as Horspath stayed on course for promotion in Division 2 with a tense two-wicket win at Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Chasing Shipton’s 187-7 after the hosts elected to bat on a slow pitch in the Home Counties Premier League, Raja came to the crease with the second-placed visitors in early trouble at 11-2.

But as Horspath stuttered to 95-6, he stood firm to make 82 from 97 balls, with 17 fours.

And he took his side to within ten runs of victory before becoming Anupam Sanklecha’s fifth victim (5-54).

Raja, who clocked up 500 league runs for the season when he reached 30, was joined in a crucial seventh-wicket stand of 69 by captain Will Eason (20).

After they had been dismissed, Jasper Davies made an unbeaten 18, clinching victory at 188-8 by reverse sweeping Shaun Miller for four.

Earlier, Jamie Perkin had led the way in Shipton’s innings with 60 from 104 balls, which included a six and seven fours, while Sanklecha hit a breezy 37 as Adam Price picked up 3-31.

Samad Fallah proved the difference as leaders Oxford edged Buckingham Town by 12 runs.

After the visitors were all out for 144, the seamer took 6-61, taking his tally to 48 for the season, as the hosts fell short on 132.

Buckingham elected to field and Oxford looked in trouble at 63-6, with Callum Price (5-34) doing most of the damage.

Andrew Clough (41) and Shami Mendis (37) put on 46 for the seventh wicket.

And while others fell, Clough took Oxford to 139-8 before they were all out for 144.

Buckingham never really got a head of steam in reply, with only seventh and eighth-wicket partnerships of 41 and 34 frustrating the visitors.

Fallah, who bowled 28 overs, took four of the first six wickets to leave the hosts on 55-6.

He removed the last two batsmen to earn victory for Oxford.

Thame Town earned a crucial 85-run win at bottom side Cookham Dean.

Sam Lachlan top-scored with 62, helping to steer the visitors from 57-6 to 173-8 before his dismissal, in the hosts’ 195.

Simon Foster took 5-75 for the hosts.

In reply, Cookham were immediately in trouble at 19-3.

Hassam Mushtaq (5-41) and Will Rooney (3-15) shone with the ball as they were bowled out for 110 in 37 overs.

Aston Rowant beat Gerrards Cross by 62 runs at home.

Dan Matthews (51) and Andrew Dyer (50no) both hit half-centuries, while Chris Watling (45) also contributed as the hosts posted 214-8.

The visitors got off to a good start at 76-1, thanks to Alexander Woodland (74no), but soon fell away, with Leo Bethell (5-23) starring for Rowant.