AVENING & CHERINGTON have confirmed their second successive league title with a 47-run victory over Oakridge.

With one set of games still to be played next Saturday, Avening’s points average cannot be overtaken.

However, they are unbeaten so far this year and will be looking to keep it that way for the whole season.

Batting first at home against Oakridge, Alan Venn was the only half-century maker this week, scoring exactly 50 in Avening’s total of 177-6. Mike Deane was stranded two short of his half-century in Oakridge’s reply, which petered out at 130-5 at the end of their allotted 40 overs.

Despite losing at home, Adlestrop have also cemented second place in the league. Bowled out for 117 by Great Rissington, with Brian Brain the pick of the bowlers (3-34), Adlestrop did not go down easily. Removing two of the top order for less than double-figures, Adlestrop looked in with a chance until John Surch and Simon Scarrott made a third-wicket stand of 55 to take Great Rissington within striking distance of their target.

A late flurry of wickets by Adlestrop captain Nick Keen kept their hopes alive, but Rissington passed the low target with three wickets in hand and almost four overs to spare.

In a similar game at Williamstrip, the home side recorded their third win of the season but this was not enough to lift them out of bottom place.

Invited to bat, Chedworth found runs slow to come by with John Watson top-scoring on 31 in Chedworth’s total of 119 all out. Jamie Roffe then ripped through Williamstrip top order, with three out of the first four batsmen scoring ducks.

A sixth- wicket stand between Ollie Newman and Dave Pyzer steadied the boat for Williamstrip and put them within easy reach of their target. Newman remained not out on 38 as Williamstrip romped home to victory by three wickets and nine overs to spare.

NATS and South Cerney were playing a crucial relegation game. South Cerney were bowled out for 127 at home as G Bartlett took 4-23 and R Griffiths 3-21. The Phillips family saw NATS safely home in an eight-wicket win which takes them firmly out of the relegation zone and safe in Division 1 for a second year.

At Windrush, Cricklade were bowled out for 166 with several players contributing to the runs total, but no big scores produced. Windrush’s reply came mainly from two players, Tom Valentine (49) and Pat Kelly (47not out) and they reached their target in a close game with just one over to go.

Although the two relegation spots are already taken, whether it is South Cerney or Williamstrip who earn the wooden spoon will depend on next week’s results. The only hope for either team is to move up to penultimate place and hope that only one team goes down.