ECB Women’s County Championship

OXFORDSHIRE ladies suffered double disappointment, with two defeats in Division 3.

They first went down by 88 runs to Netherlands at Bicester & North Oxford in a first for the county as Oxon’s men’s and ladies’ team played simultaneously on the same ground.

And 24 hours later, Oxfordshire lost by 20 runs to Hampshire at Gosport.

Netherlands made 214-7 from their 50 overs, led by Denise Hannema’s 71.

Genny Porter took 4-41 from her ten overs then starred with the bat as Oxon sought to recover from 13-3.

Porter made an unbeaten 57 in Oxon’s 126-8, with the promotion-chasing Dutch running out comfortable winners. Oxfordshire inserted Hampshire and started well through Carla Wood (3-30) and Emilia Bartram (2-21).

Hampshire dug in to make 164-9, thanks largely to Naomi Lynch (51no) and Charlotte Taylor (48).

In reply, Oxfordshire rallied to 114-4, with Abi Currie contributing a carefully-constructed 54. But the loss of their fifth wicket saw the tide turn.

Hampshire tore through Oxfordshire’s middle order and despite a late flourish from Ellie Norton, Oxfordshire could only reach 144-9.

Oxfordshire next host Scotland on May 26 at Bicester & North Oxford CC.