Three wickets apiece from Josh Megson and Matthew Warner helped Oxfordshire to a seven-wicket victory in a rain-affected ECB Under 17 clash in Bedfordshire.

Oxfordshire bowled and fielded well to dismiss their hosts for 180 inside 41 overs at Flitwick, before successfully chasing down a revised target of 109 following the loss of 20 overs due to a heavy and prolonged shower.

Winning the toss, Oxon captain Ross Barrett had no hesitation in asking Bedfordshire to bat first.

The home side, top of the group going into the match, were quickly in big trouble as Megson and Warner reduced them to 44-5 with a combination of raw pace from Megson and swing bowling from Warner.

However, the home side fought back strongly.

Akash Shah was dropped on 20, going on to make an excellent 59, while useful contributions down the order looked to put the home side back on top.

However, spinners Miles Hammond and Jamie Coles took a wicket apiece, before Jack Biggs mopped up the tail.

Oxon had reached 15-0 in their reply when the heavens opened.

Following a lengthy delay, their innings was reduced to 30 overs.

With no Duckworth-Lewis Method in operation, Oxon’s revised target was based on the home side’s run rate, meaning they had to score 109 for victory.

They were in some difficulty at 45-3 after losing both openers in single figures and Miles Hammond for 12.

But a brilliant knock of 53 not out from Curtly Slatter in only 34 balls, plus good support from Coles saw Oxon home with six overs of the 30 to spare.

The result keeps Oxon’s cup hopes alive, although they would still need to win their remaining two group games to stand a chance of making the semi-finals.