OXFORD Downs booked their place in the first national round of The Cricketer National Village Cup with a 43-run victory at Langford in the Oxfordshire final.

The Standlake-based side will now host Glamorgan & Gwent winners Miskin Manor on June 24, and are just four victories from a place in the national final at Lord’s.

Langford’s passage to the final has been extraordinary, with victories over Horspath and last year’s national

semi-finalists Aston Rowant.

But Langford, who hail from the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire border, found Downs a far tougher proposition.

Winning the toss at Langford’s small ground, Downs skipper George Sandbach chose to bat and led his side to 197-9 in their 40 overs as he top-scored with 70.

James Lauder also chipped in with 44 not out, while Matty Bicker took 3-35.Langford’s reply got off to a poor start when opener Jeremy Kirby fell in the first over.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, Harry Stevens

top-scoring with 55.

Off-spinner Johnny Meardon, finished with figures of 5-19 as the home side fell for 154.