AFTER three wins on the bounce, Division One leaders Oxenhope came back to earth faster than Tim Peake with a disappointing home defeat to Old Crossleyans.

Electing to field on a damp wicket, Scott Mallinson soon made inroads into the early order with three wickets as the visitors were reduced to 3-31.

Rizan Manir (56), Mark Jowett (38) and Qamar Ayub (87) were all the beneficiaries of dropped catches as Old Crocs took their score to a challenging but not impossible total of 224-9.

The Oxenhope innings never got started as Jack Hemblys (4-47) and Mark Jowett (4-36) kept a steady flow of dismissals, only Tom Mawer (66) mastering their medium pace. The final nail in the coffin was being dismissed on 139, one short of a second batting bonus point as Oxenhope dropped to second place in a tight league.

Oxenhope II's improved run of results continued with a resounding win at Old Crossleyans II.

Duncan Tetley (5-32) and Luke Fleetwood (5-35) bowled through to dismiss the home side for just 68, which took 35 overs.

The result was never in doubt as Nicky Holbrook (27) and Eddie Burke (21) scored most of the runs, the visitors losing four wickets in the chase.