GEORGE Munsey’s devastating spell helped Oxford open up a 15-point lead in Division 2 with a 102-run win over Aston Rowant.
The leaders made the most of second-placed Horspath being held to a draw at Thame Town.
Oxford posted 231 from 53.3 overs in the Home Counties Premier League clash, before Munsey took 3-5 in four overs as Rowant were all out for 129.
After being put into bat, the hosts were in trouble on 45-3.
But a fourth-wicket stand of 57 between John Barrett (39) and Munsey steadied the ship.
Shami Mendis hit a quickfire 22, before he and Mark Beer fell to leave the hosts on 147-7.
Freddie Simon (33) and Samad Fallah (28) then helped Oxford post 231.
The visitors never recovered from Munsey’s spell, which left them in bother on 15-4.
A shoulder injury prevented the all-rounder causing further damage, but Rowant’s middle order had no answer, with Fallah (4-60) and Harvey Eltham (3-22) also enjoying a prosperous day with the ball.
Adam Muttitt and Andrew Dyer put on 37 for the eighth-wicket, before they were all out for 129.
At Thame, promotion-chasing Horspath were left frustrated.
Having elected to bat first on a used pitch, the visitors were in trouble at 32-3 after an excellent spell from Will Rooney (3-22).
But Harrison Ward, with 60 from 122 balls, including eight fours, and Shahbaz Ali (47) put on 86 for the fourth wicket, before Pat Foster hammered 40 to set a respectable total of 195-9.
The visitors looked to be heading for victory as Thame’s top order folded to leave them 40-5.
But they were foiled by Matt MacDonald (51), before Adam Phippen (38no) and Rooney saw the hosts safely to the close.
Shipton-under-Wychwood fell to a 108-run defeat at Amersham.
The hosts elected to bat and Andrew Viney’s unbeaten 113 helped them post 261-7.
Anupam Sanklecha (3-73) was the pick of the Shipton bowlers.
The visitors never got going in reply, falling to 65-6.
Despite some resistance from Ian Lewis (47) and Jamie Perkin (41no) they were dismissed for 153 in 48.3 overs.
Maduka Liyanapathiranage and Alexander Lines took five wickets each.
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