OXFORDSHIRE Over 50s kept alive their hopes of reaching the national play-offs with victories over Herefordshire and Shropshire.

They now need wins against Barnt Green and Staffordshire in the coming weeks to ensure they advance from Group 4 of the ECB 50+ County Championship.

Against Herefordshire, Alistair Thomas top-scored with 86 not out as Oxon triumphed by 56 runs.

Openers Darryl Woods (47) and Ian Caunce (40) put on 85 in 18 overs at Oxford Downs.

Chris Warboys added 43, while Paddy Daniel and Russell Hayes also contributed as Oxon finished on 279-7 from their 45 overs.

Herefordshire started with an opening stand of 122, but they soon lost wickets at regular intervals.

Debutant Matt Todd took 3-31 as the visitors reached 223-7 from their 45 overs.

They further boosted their Group 4 hopes, with a 89-run win over Shropshire at Shifnal.

Oxon were put into bat and Woods (79) and Caunce (64) put on 114 for the first wicket.

Graham Charlesworth kept up the good work with an unbeaten 72 as the visitors finished on 264-6 from an innings reduced to 40 overs because of rain.

The hosts soon lost both openers and, despite resistance from the middle order, were undone by spinners Mike Simpson (3-9) and Alastair Thomas (3-35).