Torrential rain on the second day denied Oxfordshire a chance of victory in their penultimate group match in the ECB Under 17 Championship match in Bedfordshire with the match being abandoned after a thunderstorm flooded the pitch at Ampthill.

It leaves Oxfordshire in second place in the Division 3B table, three points behind Buckinghamshire, who they host next week for a place in the play-off final.

Oxfordshire had looked well-placed after they bowled their hosts out for just 212, leaving themselves 77 overs to post a victory which would have put them well clear at the top of the table.

But no sooner had Bedfordshire’s final wicket fallen, a thunderstorm scuppered any chance of getting back on to the field, leaving Oxfordshire highly frustrated.

Day one was also rain-affected, but Oxon made good inroads into Bedfordshire’s line-up.

By the time the rain came just after tea, Oxon had reduced their hosts to 187-8, with Joe Harris taking 3-28.

The wet weather overnight turned the wicket into a quagmire as water soaked underneath the covers, meaning despite blue skies, no play was possible until after lunch on the second day.

And in the hour of play that did take place, Harry Smith, who finished with 4-25, mopped up the tail before the heavens opened once again.

Picking up only seven points, the abandonment means that Oxon must beat Buckinghamshire next week in order to reach the play-off final.