Champions Oxford have a stern fight to hang on to their Home Counties Premier League Division 1 title after they suffered a decisive six-wicket defeat away to Radlett on Saturday.

At the halfway stage of the campaign, Oxford are still second, but now trail leaders Tring Park by 19 points.

Oxford recovered from a morning collapse to set the hosts 241 for victory, but Radlett eased home with 13 overs to spare.

After being inserted, Oxford lost Jason Harrison to the third ball of the innings off the bowling of Shane Burger.

Pat Jobson and Stuart Laudat then added 43, before the visitors lost five wickets for only 19 runs - Burger taking three of them - to leave Oxford in dire trouble at 62-6.

A spirited partnership of 87 between Jonno Evans - 68 of 60 balls - and Pat Jobson took the score to 149-7.

Jobson and Philip Evans then added 47 for the eighth wicket before a quickfire 26 not out from Jack Brooks took Oxford to 240-9 of 66 overs.

Opener Jobson carried his bat throughout the innings for an invaluable 70 not out.

In reply, Radlett openers Kabir Toor and Anish Patel added 121, before the latter was trapped leg before by Francois Vainker in the last over before tea, Toor, dropped three times, was eventually caught off the bowling of Shami Mendis, having scored 84 from 89 balls, which included ten fours and three sixes.

Gareth Berg then took charge, scoring 83 not out from only 56 balls, with 14 fours as Radlett raced home with ease.