OXFORDSHIRE booked their place in the final of the inaugural Unicorns Counties T20 competition with a commanding display yesterday.

Luke Ryan’s side defeated Shropshire by four wickets in the semi-final, before a sensational display saw them thrash hosts Herefordshire by eight wickets in the Group 2 final at Eastnor.

Lloyd Sabin blasted an unbeaten 59 off just 34 deliveries as Oxon eased past their target of 113 with almost seven overs remaining.

However, the success was down in the main to a devastating start with the ball, which saw Oxfordshire reduce their rivals to 3-3 off seven deliveries, Chad Keegan taking two early wickets.

Although Hereford recovered to 113-7, it proved no problem for Oxon, with Sabin ensuring there were no scares.

He hit two fours and four sixes as Oxon reached the final, which will be held at Banbury on Sunday, July 12.

In their earlier semi-final clash against Shropshire, Richard West and Keegan did the damage in Oxon’s four-wicket win.

West claimed 3-11 and Keegan finished with 3-19 as Oxfordshire pegged their rivals back after a 52-run second-wicket partnership between Omar Ali (52) and Ross Aucott (33).

Keegan then finished unbeaten on 31 – opener Hugo Darby scoring the same amount of runs – as Oxon got home with almost three overs remaining.