OXFORDSHIRE were denied a place in the Unicorns Counties Trophy semi-finals after Northumberland produced a stunning comeback to win by two wickets, writes JACK JOHNSON.

Richard Kaufman’s half-century helped the hosts to 208 at Bicester & North Oxford. And with the visitors at 121-7, a last-four place looked certain.

But Kevin Ward and Christopher Youldon steered Northumberland to a dramatic two-wicket victory.

After electing to bat, Oxfordshire were soon on top, despite the early dismissal of Hugo Darby.

Joe White and Lloyd Sabin found their range and built a commanding partnership of 86, before White was acrobatically caught at mid off by Dylan Budge for 37.

Just two short of his half-century, Sabin was next to go when he was caught behind by Youldon, before Jonny Cater was run out for 14.

Richard West and Chad Keegan fell in quick succession and the wickets continued to tumble as captain Luke Ryan was stumped by Youldon to leave Oxon on 165-7.

Kaufman held firm, bringing up his half-century, before Ashley Blanchard helped the hosts set a competitive total.

Oxon started well, Keegan trapping Jack Clark lbw.

Karl Penhale then caught Adam Hickey off Ollie Wright, before the same bowler dismissed Adam Cragg.

Penhale had Jack Burnham leg before and Northumberland were in bother at 53-4.

After Jacques Du Toit and Richard Waite shared a 37-run partnership, the former was caught behind off by Cater off Ashley Blanchard.

With the game increasingly getting away from the visitors, their task got even harder when all-rounder West had Waite dismissed at mid-wicket by White to make it 116-6.

Budge went after left-arm spinner Ryan drew some extra bounce, forcing an edge to Kaufman in the slips, leaving the visitors on 121-7.

However, Ward and Youldon started the recovery, sharing a 47-run stand for the eighth wicket, before Ward was bowled by West for a rapid 39.

On 168-8 there was plenty of work to do for Northumberland, but Youldon and Thomas Wing got them right in contention with some big-hitting.

Needing 29 off five overs, the match was in the balance.

But two boundaries from Youldon put the visitors on top, and when the same player hit two boundaries in the 48th over, bowled by Ryan, Oxon’s dreams were shattered.