GEORGE Sandbach blasted a brilliant 112 off just 54 balls, but could not save Oxford Downs from a 24-run defeat at Horspath in their Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup South Group opener.

Chasing Horspath’s 201-8, Downs fell short on 177-9, with Will Eason picking up 3-9.

Earlier, Horspath’s Tom Cosford smashed 72, before Mark Skelton hit an unbeaten 50 as Amin Rafiq took 4-48.

In the North Group, Olly Ward smashed a brutal 74 as Bicester and North Oxfordshire beat Shipton-under-Wychwood by five wickets at home.

The visitors were restricted to 122-5, with spinner Liam Randall taking 3-14.

Ward’s knock provided the backbone of the Bicester innings as they reached their target with two overs to spare.