For the first time in three years, Oxfordshire Over 50s will not be playing in the final of the ECB 50-Plus County Championship following their 20-run defeat by Kent in yesterday’s last 16 match at Upchurch.

Oxfordshire, the 2009 winners, who were runners-up to Middlesex last year, put Kent in to bat and made a great start with two early wickets.

Their bowling attack, which was missing Keith Arnold and Adrian Manger through injury, held up well.

Opening bowlers Alec Cunningham and Mickey Thomas kept it tight in the early stages.

However, they could not dislodge opener Glyn Gunning, who went on to score 102 with ten fours as Kent recovered to reach 223-8 from their 45 overs on a good pitch.

Chasing a tough target, Oxon soon lost Ian Caunce.

Paul Tew and Cunningham batted well.

But as Oxon attempted to accelerate, they lost wickets, slipping to 87-5 against the bowling of Rupert Staple, who claimed 5-28 in an impressive spell.

After Tew departed for 59, Melvin Riley, Rob Willis and Steve Kelly batted with spirit, but the target proved beyond them and they finished on 203-9.