OXFORDSHIRE kept their hopes alive of qualifying from Group 1 in the MCCA Trophy with an emphatic 102-run victory over Bedfordshire at Cople Argus yesterday.

Following a wash-out and a defeat in their opening two matches, Oxon knew a win was imperative if they were to maintain any interest in the competition.

And they made no mistake as they took a grip of the match from the start, despite losing the toss and being put in to bat.

Richard Kaufman (53) and Lloyd Sabin (40) put on 90 for the first wicket to lay the foundations for an impressive total of 261-9 from their 50 overs.

Craig Haupt (36) kept up the momentum together with Jack Taylor (46) as left-arm spinner Andrew Reynoldson took 4-47 to be the pick of the Bedfordshire attack.

However, the hosts were never in the hunt in their run chase.

They lost openers Steve Stubbings and James Kettleborough with the score on 29, and then Chad Keegan picked up his second victim by trapping George Thurstance lbw without scoring to make it 33-3.

Matt Taylor took his second wicket when Kaufman caught Reynoldson, and Bedfordshire were 51-5 when Jack Taylor dived to his left to catch Daniel Bendon off Ashley Blanchard.

Skipper Ollie Clayson then retired hurt for 45 when he top-edged a reverse sweep off Luke Ryan into his left eye.

And Oxon mopped up the tail as Bedfordshire succumbed for 159, with Matt Taylor finishing with 3-33.