CHERWELL LEAGUE

DIVISION 1

 GREAT & Little Tew became Cherwell League champions for the first time when they beat Banbury 2nd by 58 runs, writes GRAHAM SCOTT.

Oxfordshire cricketing legend Keith Arnold was the last Banbury batsman to fall, bowled by spinner Ian Bryan with 15 balls remaining.

Tew will now take their place in the Home Counties Premier League’s Division 2 West next summer.

Their final match of the season started in bizarre fashion, with visiting opening bowler Adam Wirth sending down only one delivery before having to be withdrawn from the attack.

Olly Murrey completed the first over and, with Arnold, reduced Tew to 19-2 in the 11th over.

A 103-run partnership in 24 overs between Ashley Hubbert (68) and Curtly Slatter (48) turned the tables in Tew’s favour, before left-arm spinner Steve Hart put Banbury back in the ascendancy by taking 5-68.

Banbury’s problem after tea was their inability to build a meaningful partnership.

Wirth was fit to open the batting, but his 31 took almost two hours as he lost one partner after another.

He ended up being one of Ian Bryan’s five victims, as Tew closed out the win.

Results elsewhere mean the Cherwell League will welcome back Shipton-under-Wychwood and Thame Town next year, as both were relegated from the tier above.

Gt & Little Tew 25pts, Banbury 2nd 6