Banbury 2nd looked the favourites after reaching 114-3 from 29 overs in pursuit of Oxford 2nd’s 182-2 before rain brought an early finish.
Todd Hutchinson had scored a dogged 48 for Oxford before Stuart Hole (62no) and John Williams (32no) added 60 in a flurry towards the end.
Andrew Sabin (50no) appeared to be guiding his side towards victory when the heavens opened.
Oxford 2nd 11, Banbury 2nd 6
ASTON Rowant signalled that they intend their return to the league to be a temporary visit by thrashing Buckingham Town on the opening day.
Rowant, relegated from the Home Counties Premier League last season, were the only winners in the top flight as the other games ended in draws, mostly due to rain.
Town’s decision to field first backfired badly as Rowant’s Australian import, Andrew Hicks, hit an unbeaten 103 in his side’s impressive 231-4 from 50 overs.
Hicks then took 4-17 from seven overs to have Buckingham in trouble before another debutant, Simon Bird (4-38), wrapped up the tail as the visitors stumbled to 174 all out.
Aston Rowant 30 pts, Buckingham Town 3
Milton Keynes Park, last year’s runners-up, came out second best in their drawn clash with Challow & Childrey, who finished just one place below them last term.
Put into bat, Challow quickly got on top as Julian Penney (39) and Glyn Lumb (46) put on 94 for the first wicket.
Skipper Will Clarke finished undefeated on 58 as the home side went on to reach 226-5.
Paul Strong then hit 55 and Graham Simpson 32 in a second-wicket partnership of 48, but ten-man Park soon settled for a draw as they crawled to 167-6.
Challow & Childrey 16, Milton Keynes Park 4
Oxford Downs’ first match back in the top flight turned into something of a disappointment as rain prevented them closing out victory at Banbury Twenty.
Downs bowled 34 wides in Twenty’s 174 all out, which contributed to them losing three points for failing to start the 50th over within three hours. Faisal Khalid top-scored with 46.
South African Goolam Bhayat then smashed 65 to put the visitors in command at 97 without loss before rain intervened after 25 overs had been bowled.
Banbury Twenty 7, Oxford Downs 10
Dinton’s last pair, Scott Bowler and Rodney Browne, clung on for nine overs to secure a draw against Shipton-under-Wychwood.
Put in to bat, Shipton managed 222-7, thanks to Andy Hemming’s 77 and despite a fine spell from Rodney Browne, who took 5-47.
The home side were never really in the hunt and finished well short on 161-9.
Dinton 6, Shipton-under-Wychwood 19