OXFORDSHIRE stormed into the semi-finals of the Seevent Over 60 County Championship with a crushing 114-run victory over Buckinghamshire at Oxford Downs.

An opening stand of 64 between Ian Caunce (38) and Derek Watts (21) laid the solid platform for Oxon, before an innings of 33 from Andy Haynes lifted them to a competitive 192-8 from their 45 overs.

Bucks were never in the hunt after Jim Blackford took 1-16 from his nine overs.

This was followed by a remarkable spell by Steve Wilson, who returned 3-6 in nine overs.

Fellow spinner Steve Partington took 3-18 in his allocation as Bucks succumbed for 78 all out.

Oxon face Shropshire in the last four at Shrewsbury on Tuesday (1pm).

Oxon Over 50s B team have reached the semi-finals of the Southern Counties Seniors Competition thanks to a brilliant century from Sam Mendes.

At the third and final attempt, with the first two matches having been rained off, Oxon defeated Hertfordshire by four wickets in their last group match at Aston Rowant.

The visitors made 162-7 from their 45 overs, Chris Panter being his usual miserly self with 2-17 from nine overs.

Oxon slumped to 18-4 in reply, before an excellent fifth-wicket partnership of 99 runs in 17 overs between Mendes (107 off 98 balls) and Nick Bishop (35) saw them to 163-6 with eight overs to spare.

Having finished top of the East Group by a large margin, Oxon now entertain Cornwall, runners-up of the West Group, at Aston Rowant in the last four next Wednesday, starting at noon.

l BANBURY CC are staging the four-day Unicorns Counties Championship final between Lincolnshire and Berkshire, starting at 11am tomorrow.