Under 17

OXFORDSHIRE Under 17s’ ECB County Cup hopes were ended by a 45-run defeat to Hertfordshire at Shipton-under-Wychwood in Group 3B.

Oxfordshire’s bowlers all came in for punishment, with the exception of left-arm spinner Jamie Coles, who returned excellent figures of 3-17 from 5.2 overs.

Herts’ 308 all out was led by James Scott’s 91 and 63 from Caleb Stewart.

Oxon never recovered from being 6-2 in reply, although a 68-run stand between Coles and Andrew Tolson got them back on track.

Captain Ross Barrett top-scored with 50 off 47 balls, but Oxon were all out for 263 as Herts reached the semi-finals.

  • JOE Barrett scored a superb 125, but it was in vain as Oxfordshire’s ECB Under 17 Championship match in Bedfordshire was washed out on day two.

Under 15 player Barrett had starred in Oxon’s excellent total of 354-8 declared on a steamy first day, but with the home side on 83-2 by the close, the second day was set to be an enthralling one.

However, heavy rain all day destroyed Oxon’s hopes of forcing a victory, leaving them fourth in Division 3B with two games to go.

Adam Muttitt also shone with 64 as Oxon posted their highest championship total for three seasons.

Scores

Oxfordshire 354-8 dec (87.5 ovs, J Barrett 125, A Muttit 64, J Coles 32, E Wharton 3-52), Bedfordshire 83-2 (15 ovs, J Good 44no, D Alder 30no).

  • Bedfordshire 6pts, Oxfordshire 7