ECB 50+ County Championship

Oxfordshire moved a step closer to qualification from Group 4 with a comfortable six-wicket win against Herefordshire at Eastnor.

It means Oxon have now won five of their six games, and sets them up nicely for next week's top-of-the-table clash against unbeaten Gloucestershire.

Opting to bat first, the hosts made a poor start with Micky Thomas having Peter Hoare caught behind by Paul Tew for a duck in the first over.

However, Herefordshire started to amass a solid total, which was built around Graham Parker’s 50.

A flurry of wickets, though, put Oxfordshire firmly on top, Ian Curtis and Alec Cunningham taking three apiece as Herefordshire were held to 164-9 off their 45 overs.

Big-hitting Ian Caunce fell in the second over of Oxon’s reply.

But after that it was one-way traffic.

Adrian Manger top-scored with 46 at No 3, while a good contribution from Thame’s Alastair Thomas (38) moved them closer to their target.

An unbroken 52-run fifth-wicket partnership between Bicester & North Oxford debutant Nick Moorman (35no) and Malcolm Evans (29no), who displayed his usual array of big-hitting to see Oxon home.

They now face unbeaten Gloucestershire at Lord Vestey’s Stowell Park estate, near Northleach, on Wednesday (2pm).

Scores: Herefordshire 50+ 164-9 (45ovs, G Parker 50, A Jones 32, A Cunningham 3-29, I Curtis 3-30), Oxfordshire 50+ 165-4 (36 ovs, A Manger 46, A Thomas 38, N Moorman 35no).