CAPTAIN Ian Caunce led a fine team display as Oxfordshire beat leaders Shropshire by 62 runs in their National Over 60 Championships West Midlands Group clash at Sandford St Martin.

The hosts made a steady start after being put into bat, before losing two quick wickets.

Caunce (59) and Ady Manger (30) put on a fine partnership of 81 to put Oxon back on track.

Further contributions saw Oxon post a competitive 192-9 from their 45 overs, with Elwyn Jones and Tym Fern taking three wickets apiece.

Tight and economical bowling from the hosts made it tough for the visitors to keep up with the run rate and regular wickets fell.

Shropshire struggled to get near Oxon’s target as five different bowlers took wickets to restrict their opponents to 130-8 and claim victory.

  • OXFORDSHIRE Under 11s fell to a nine-wicket defeat to Gloucestershire in a friendly at Thornbury.

The visitors came up against very strong opposition and lost wickets at regular intervals.

Kalan Niyarepola, Jake McKay and Freddie Deans dug in, but were unable to build on good starts as Oxon were dismissed for 83 in the 29th over.

Gloucestershire chased down the total with ease, but the visitors’ highlight came with a sharp stumping by Jacob Townsend off Niyarepola.

SCHOOLS CRICKET RESULTS

Under 15 ESCA 20Twenty Cup Abingdon 169-5 (J Blackwell 83no, E Hyman 42), Shiplake 126-2.

under 15 ESCA 20twenty vase Warriner 95-3, Chipping Norton 99-5 (R Jenkins 42).

under 15 League King Alfred’s 124, Wheatley Pk 122; Chip Norton 77-9 (T Jenkin 37, F Noridge 4-14, L Jones 3-17), Burford 79-7.

under 14 ECB Trophy Marlborough 47, Chipping Norton 49-1.

Under 14 League Marlborough 83-6, King Alfred’s 76.

Under 13 Cup Cherwell 49, Wheatley Park 52-0; Burford 77-6, Cokethorpe 78-8 (T Taylor 51no).

Under 13 League St Birinus 137-3, King Alfred’s 141-2; Sibford 174-1 (T Wallis 57no, B Burton 52no), Warriner 61-5; Oxford Spires 72-9, Lord Willliams 73-4.

Under 12 Bunbury Cup Burford 110-7 (L Joy 43, G Leveane 3-16), Bloxham 78 (A Hartwell 3-8); Henry Box 73-7, Abingdon 74-1 (A Gray 44no); Lord Williams 72-8, Cokethorpe 73-4.

Under 12 pairs league Oxford Spires 259, King Alfred s 260; Wheatley Park 285, Lord Williams 233.