SKIPPER Wes Morrick again led from the front as Aston Rowant did all they could in their bid for promotion from Division 2 West of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League on Saturday.

Morrick captured 7-44 as Rowant sent Thame Town down with a nine-wicket thrashing.

But Slough’s easy win over Gerrards Cross was enough to secure the one promotion spot to Division 1, leaving Rowant as runners-up.

With high stakes to play for, Rowant won the toss and asked Thame to bat first. Morrick wasted no time by bowling opening batsman James Neilson with the first ball of the match.

Thame repaired the damage as Michael Higgs and Partik Patel took the score to 40 off 11 overs.

Nick Ferraby replaced Glen Carlton and took two wickets in his first over.

Morrick also helped himself to several more wickets as Thame’s batsmen offered little resisitance as they slumped to 76-9.

Their last pair of Will Roo-ney and Sam Lachlan did put up stubborn resistence, but their total of 93 was clearly inadequate and left Thame needing a miracle to get something from the match.

Rowant sped to their target of 94 runs in 14 overs.

Tim Morgan and Chris Watling put on 55 for the opening wicket, before Ferraby saw them home.

So it was a sad day for both Oxfordshire clubs.

But Rowant can at least look forward to another season at this level, while Thame contemplate a return to the Cherwell League.