Oxfordshire Under 14s’ brave challenge in the ECB County Cup was scuppered as they lost to group leaders Staffordshire in Wolverhampton.

Oxon bowled and fielded well as they tried to defend a below-par total, only for Staffordshire to reach the target with six wickets down.

It had looked promising for Oxon as Callum Russell and Alex Davies shared a half-century opening stand, But the home side showed why they were top of the group as they tightened the screw on Oxon’s middle order to restrict them to only 122-8 from their 45 overs.

Oxon’s reply in the field was spirited, but in truth, they never had enough runs on the board.

Tom Costley claimed 2-18, while the other four wickets were shared between Sam Haselgrove, Max Mannering, Matthew Butcher and under 13 player Aadam Samiullah.

But Staffordshire reached 125-6 with 12 overs to spare.

An unbeaten 43 from Emily Ong led Oxfordshire Under 13 girls to an eight-wicket win over Berkshire in the ECB County League.

Ella Gorton claimed 3-17 and Eliza Goode 2-12 as Oxon dismissed their hosts for 122 at Falkand, only Rachel Hardy (59no) shining.

In their reply, Oxon raced home in 25 overs as Ong and Ella Gorton (23no) starred.

Carla Wood returned superb figures of 5-11 from eight overs as Oxfordshire Under 15 girls thrashed Norfolk by ten wickets in their friendly at Magdalen College School.

The visitors were shot out for 85 in 30.4 overs, Abigail Flory also taking 3-27.

It took Oxon just 20.5 overs to knock off the runs without loss, Kate Davies finishing unbeaten on 35 and Suzy Halsey 26 not out.