Oxford Have Returned To The Top Of The 2026 Home Counties Premier League, Division Two Table.
Feature Image: David Scott (Datchet CC)
A Jack Hobbs century guided Oxford back to the top of the table after they defeated Chesham by five wickets at Jordan Hill.
Hobbs scored his hundred from 82 balls as he struck 13 fours and 4 sixes in a match-winning knock. Gaajuran Ganagabalan (39) made early runs before the Romans were pegged back at 79 for 4. Hobbs found Brendon Smith (29) and Dylan Swanepoel (31 not out) solid supports in a successful chase as Oxford go to the summit by a single point.
Earlier, a battling unbeaten 67 from Daksh Saberwal and 33 from James Anderson helped Chesham get to 226 all out from 58 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat. Chesham recovered from 2 for 2 as Daniel Ward 44 and Moiz Rana 40 batted well rebuilding the innings. Oxford skipper Jack Wilkins claimed four for 64 from his 19-overs stint, while left arm seamer William Smith picked up three for 52.
Horspath’s lower order produced a remarkable run chase as they defeated leaders Wargrave by one wicket.
With Horspath looking set for defeat at 109 for 8, still needing 91 runs to win, Jehan Mohammed, Derval Green and Liam Turnbull had other ideas. The visitors were up against it after Toby Greatwood’s opening blast had Horspath reeling at 5 for 3, but opener Tom Nicholls made 44 and they were soon 67 for 6. Green made 62 in an eighth wicket partnership worth 75 runs with Mohammed but was dismissed with 16 runs still required. Number eleven Liam Turnbull dug in as he and Mohammed took their side to an unlikely 25 points. Mohammed finishing undefeated on 41, an innings that will live long in the memory.
Wargrave were dismissed for 199 all out from 49.4 overs with Euan Woods top scoring with 72 with the wickets shared by the visiting attack.
Gerrards Cross are third after successfully reaching their target against Thame Town at Dukes Lane.
Farid Butt (40) and Alex Tervet (59) shared a second wicket stand of 82 before Alex Browne (31) and Shahbaz Meer (43) took Thame passed the 200-mark. Some late order hitting by Dinny Malan saw Town reach 273 before finally being removed in 56.1 overs. Malan made 61 from just 45 balls, which included nine boundaries, three of which were maximums. Liam Sullivan (3-61) and James Dalby (3-51) both taking a trio of scalps.
Chris Marrow opened up for the home side with a brilliant 84 which set the platform for the chase. After a wobble, Teddy Fleming (52) struck a 37-ball half century as he shared a ninth wicket partnership with Dalby (22 not out) worth 80 runs and 25 points, which keeps their promotion hopes on course.
Form team Datchet were the winners of the day for the third week running as they won at Ickenham by eight wickets.
David Scott was in excellent form he spun the hosts out for 170 in 42.4 overs with four for 45. Only Leslie Ngoepe (42) getting in after they elected to bat.
Opener Jack Laraman made an unbeaten 59 from the top of the order, with Joseph Thomas (40) chipping in. Scott completed an excellent all-round display as he made 38 from just 33 balls as Datchet took 25 points in 29.2 overs.
The only draw of the day saw Challow & Childrey share the spoils with Stoke Green.
Stoke Green openers Fahad Raja (49) and Najib Khan (56) feasted with an opening stand of 116 after they opted to invite their hosts to field first. Mithira Thenura (49) and Passikku Madusanka (35) built on the openers success to ensure their side posted a competitive total (254 for 8 from 58 overs). Joe Harris returning with four for 79.
In reply, Challow & Childrey closed on 195 for 7 from their 52 overs as they were restricted by the in-form Madusanka, who was again amongst the wickets; five for 61 from 17 overs. Mahdi Sallem top scored with 38.
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