Oxfordshire's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ECB 50-Plus County Championship were dashed when they lost to Sussex by five wickets at Challow & Childrey yesterday.

Led by Phil Garner, the home county set a fair target by making 204-8 from their 45 overs, but Sussex eased to victory in this quarter-final with 3.3 overs to spare.

With rain around, Oxon chose to bat first and seemed in trouble at 65-4, despite Ian Caunce's breezy 36.

But former Oxon captain Garner and Aston Rowant's John Cooper took the attack to the Sussex bowlers to add 120 for the fifth wicket in 21 overs.

Garner made 71 off 89 balls with seven fours, while Cooper's fluent 41 came off 59 balls.

Sussex were always up with the clock, as none of the Oxon bowlers could apply the brakes.

Bob Phillips made 67, before Peter Rebera guided them into the last four with an unbeaten 65.

The most economical of the Oxon bowlers was Steve Partington with 1-19 off 5.3 overs.

OXFORDSHIRE OVER 50

B Griffiths lbw Budden...1

I Caunce c Budden b Lock...36

D Hall c Budden b Lock...8

P Garner c Seager b Hartland...71

R Bates b Chitty...16

J Cooper b Budden...41

A Wingfield Digby run out...3

S Partington c Chitty b Hartland...0

C Bateman not out...2

R Willis not out...12

Extras...14

Total (8 wkts, 45 ovs)...204

Fall: 1-10, 2-45, 3-46, 4-65, 5-185, 6-189, 7-189, 8-189.

Bowling: Budden 9-2-47-2, Wildman 9-0-40-0, Lock 6-2-8-2, Chitty 9-1-22-1, Hartland 8-0-52-2, Rebera 4-0-30-0.

SUSSEX

M Simmons b Spindler...12

A Meads lbw Willis...23

R Phillips c Spinder b Willis...67

P Rebera not out...65

A Barnes b Garner...4

N Budden c Spinder b Partington...7

R Seager not out...14

Extras...13

Total (5 wkts, 41.3ovs)...205

Fall: 1-23, 2-67, 3-149, 4-160, 5-169.

Bowling: Spindler 5-1-31-1, Wingfield Digby 8-0-39-0, Bateman 5-0-32-0, Willis 9-1-44-2, Garner 9-0-39-1, Partington 5.3-0-19-1.