Oxfordshire recorded their second successive victory in the Western Division as they saw off Herefordshire by eight wickets at Colwall.

It moves them up to third place in the table and gives them an outside chance of taking the title if they can win their final fixture away to Berkshire and rivals Cheshire and Shropshire draw when they meet in their finale.

Herefordshire’s second innings was similar to their first as they made a good start, but then collapsed dramatically.

They crashed from a comfortable 159-2 to 230 all out as their last seven wickets tumbled for just 71.

Christopher Borroughs top-scored with 50 before being caught by Craig Haupt off Daniel Rowe.

Paceman Rowe and spinner Paul McMahon took four wickets each, McMahon toiling away unchanged to take 4-46 from his 30 overs, which included 11 maidens.

It followed his marathon spell of 5-80 off 35.3 overs in the first innings.

He was helped by the helmeted Damian Shirazi, who picked up three bat-pad catches at short leg.

Rowe finished with 4-85 from his 23 overs.

Oxon were left 27 overs to pass their target of 135 and they had an early setback when Chris Sandbach, whotop-scored with 65 in their first innings, was bowled by Fred Eburah for just one.

But as Shirazi held up one end, Nathan Hawkes launched a barrage against the Herefordshire bowling at the other to turn things firmly in Oxon’s direction.

Hawkes raced to his 50 off just 36 deliveries before departing for 72 made at a run a ball.

Haupt joined Shirazi to steer the side home with 2.1 overs to spare, Shirazi finishing one short of a half century.