Oxfordshire have made sweeping changes to their Middleton Cup squad after their unsuccessful campaign last year.

They failed to reach the later stages last season after finishing third of the five teams in South Group Section B.

Manager Steve Gilkes decided not to seek re-election after completing his tenure at the end of last season.

With no replacement, secretary Steve Tolhurst and a selection of senior players will run the team this year.

They have selected a squad of 31 – one less than in 2014 – with ten players going out and nine coming in.

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Carterton’s Alan Prew, last year’s captain, and former manager Calvin Carpenter, of Banbury Borough, are among those omitted.

There are recalls for Oxford City & County’s Alan Ley, a veteran of more than 800 county games, plus experienced Headington trio Howard Watts, Nick Rae-Welsh and Jon Philpott.

West Witney’s Paul Skidmore, City & County’s Paul Lopez and Watlington’s Chris Gilkes are new faces.

Oxfordshire’s Middleton Cup squad: K Alder, P Skidmore (both West Witney), M Charlett, I Henwood, J King, N Lewis, P Mabbutt, D May, G May, M Nash, J Philpott, I Snowdon, H Watts, N Rae-Welsh, C Whitehead (all Headington), S Claridge (South Oxford) P Comley, A Ley, P Lopez (all Oxford City & County), S Cooper, C Gilkes , S Watts (all Watlington), A J Docherty, K Holloway, R Redford, G Schwab, M Sykes (all Banbury Borough), B Lambourne (Shiplake), A Martin, P Sharman, B Sparkes (all Carterton).

OXFORDSHIRE SHORT MAT ASSOCIATION RESULTS

South & Vale Div 1: Didcot Con Barn Owls 28 (6), Grove Grovelands 16 (2); Wootton Chiefs 39 (8), Hanney 9 (0); Chieveley 22 (4), Warborough Wanderers 22 (4); Wallingford Royals 29 (6), Harwell Hares 19 (2).

South & Vale Div 2: Harwell Harlequins 23 (6), Wootton Warriors 19 (2); Stanford Vale 33 (8), Didcot Bowls Club Rams 17 (0).

Oxford City Div: South Oxford South Lakesiders 41 (8), Oxford & District 14 (0); Blackbird Leys 21 (6). West Oxford 19 (2).

West Oxford Div: Charlbury 16 (2), North Leigh Millers 30 (6); Charlbury 26 (1), Eynsham Falcons 28 (7); Hanborough Harriers 35 (6), Burford 32 (2); Witney Mills The Weavers 32 (6), Witney Town Canaries 24 (2); Witney Town Rams 27 (0), Witney Mills The Millers 31 (8); North Leigh Millers 26 (6), Witney Town Woolies 24 (2).

Afternoon Triples League: Benson 29 (8), Stanford Greys 14 (0); Harwell Swifts 22 (7), Drayton Wasps 21 (1); Stanford Blues 20 (0), Benson 23 (8); Drayton Hammers 22 (6), Harwell Swifts 17 (2); Stanford Greys 22 (4), Drayton Wasps 22 (4); Aston Astons 29 (8), Woodcote Wings 15 (0); Harwell Eagles 22 (6), Abingdon Park Rangers 21 (2); Woodcote Woodpeckers 15 (2), Didcot BC Red Kites 16 (6).