OXFORDSHIRE women are flying high in the County Championship group table after back-to-back wins.
Convincing victories over Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire at Bicester & North Oxford, made it five wins out of six as Oxon secured top spot in their group.
They now progress to a promotion play-off later in the season, potentially against Durham.
Star of the show was Ellie Norton, who returned the amazing figures of 5-9 off nine overs in their 128-run success over Hertfordshire.
The visitors were shot out for just 65 in 32.5 overs, in reply to Oxon’s total of 193, Sophie Mitchelmore top-scoring with 38.
Next opponents Bucks were bowled out for 89, Charlotte Noble taking 3-17. Norton again proved effective with 2-12.
Abi Currie shone with 36 not out as Oxon replied with 90-4 in the 24th over.
Coaches Emma Boswell and Shaz Khan, were rightly thrilled at coming top of the group.
Boswell said: “There have been some great individual performances, but to achieve that, they have had fantastic support from all their teammates
“It is a pleasure to watch them enjoying their cricket and I hope, as a team, they take their opportunity in the play-offs.”
At the other end of the age scale, Oxfordshire Under 11 girls suffered two defeats against a strong and experienced touring Kent team at Moreton.
Meanwhile, Oxon’s Under 10 boys team were outclassed by Gloucestershire at Moulsford.
Logan Bowden (70no) and Henry Driver-Dickerson (48) shared a stand of 87 in the visitors’ 210-6, before nine bowlers took wickets in Oxon’s reply of 96.
RESULTS
WOMEN’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Oxfordshire 193 (46.3 ovs, S Mitchelmore 38, C Noble 37, C Banks 3-13), Hertfordshire 65 (32.5 ovs, E Norton 5-9).
Bucks 89 (41.2 ovs,C Noble 3-17 ), Oxfordshire 90-4 (23.4 ovs, A Currie 36no).
BOYS
Gloucestershire Under 10 210-6 (L Bowden 70no, H Driver-Dickinson 48), Oxon 96.
GIRLS
Oxon Under 11s 113-8 (H Murray 25no), Kent 115-8.
Kent Under 11 134-1, Oxon 40.
ECB 50-PLUS CHAMPIONSHIP
Oxfordshire 225-8 (R Lynch 57 P Hemming 54), Shropshire 227-5.
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