Alastair Thomas played the leading role as Oxfordshire defeated Staffordshire by six wickets in their ECB 50+ County Chanpionship Group 4 clash at Milford Hall.

The Thame Town batsman hit 73 not out, including 11 fours, to see the visitors home with 11 balls to spare and keep them on course for the knockout stages.

Oxfordshire inserted Staffordshire after winning the toss and got the early breakthrough, with Ali Barbar caught behind by stand-in wicket-keeper Steve Roberts for 12.

Roberts took the gloves after regular keeper Micky Pond injured his groin playing for Cropredy.

A 112-run partnership between Mark Stanyer (61no) and Ian Boulton (44) took the hosts to 206-4 from their 45 overs.

Oxon’s reply was underpinned by a stand of 107 in 126 balls between Thomas and Alec Cunningham (47), the visitors easing to 209-4 in 43.1 overs.