Ashley Pearson completed a century but it still wasn't enough to earn Twenty their first success in the Cherwell League.

Twenty had to settle for a losing draw in division one against Shipton-under-Wychwood at Ermont Way, where, in a bid to get that elusive first victory, captain Mark Haupt asked the visitors to bat.

But Shipton took full advantage and piled on the runs with opener Andy Hemming hitting 102 runs, ably backed by Steve Bates 45 as the visitors declared on 286-5.

In reply, Twenty lost openers Tim Pearce and John Wright before Haupt 25 and Pearson 121 put the hosts back in the contest. But they fell short despite Barry Grant's 38 and Mike Thomas's handy 17 runs.

"We bowled far too many loose balls and they also had quite a bit of luck as far as dropped catches were concerned and bad fielding on our part," said Haupt.

"But as the scores suggest once again we rose to the occasion and chased down a mammoth total unsuccessfully. All praise to a wonderful innings from Ashley (Pearson) who once again batted superbly but could just not go all the way for us.

"It was a very frustrating afternoon again, coming so close but not able to pull it off.

"But I'm still confident that it will soon all change and we will be where we deserve to be – somewhere near the top of the table."
Haupt will be looking for that first victory when Twenty visit Oxford Downs this week.

But Twenty will again be without Keith Arnold and the injured Faisil Khalid so their bowling attack will be tested.

But Dave Clark returns from a three-week absence and it's team selection which is giving Haupt his biggest headache.

"We've not been able to field the same squad for more than one match so far, it's very frustrating," said Haupt.

"But the boys are determined to get that first win under their belts and there's no reason why it shouldn't come at Oxford Downs, they are struggling a but at the moment.

"We will go there and play positive cricket, that's the only way I want to play."