Jamie Powell set the tone by thrashing home youngster Michael Forgione 8&7 in game one, before John Munford and Phil Beasley added further away wins.

Although the remaining matches were close contests, Andy Greig and Graham Collett both clinched crucial points as Cherwell leapfrogged unbeaten Overstone Park into first place.

Steve Crane was the only winner for Brampton, although Brendon Kelly and Anthony Bruce both grabbed halves.

Silverstone could already be out of the title race after they lost 5-3 at Rushden, whose first victory of the season lifted them off the foot of the table. A heavy 6&5 defeat for John Newman at the hands of Nick Statham in game one set the tone for Silverstone, as the away side quickly found themselves 3-0 down.

Although the next match went the way of the visitors on the 18th, Rushden won game five to guarantee at least a draw.

Silverstone showed some fight as Sam Buss and Josh Atkins took the sixth and seventh games but it was too little too late as Andy Gannaway recorded a 4&2 success for Rushden in the final tie.