OXFORD reached the Middlesex Berks Bucks & Oxon Regional Division 1 play-offs, despite losing 4-3 in a dramatic match away to Ashford on Saturday.

By losing their final game, Oxford opened the way for Oxford Hawks 2nd to overtake them into second spot.

But Hawks lost 1-0 at home to Maidenhead, leaving Oxford to vie for promotion in the play-offs at Haslemere, Surrey on Sunday, April 29.

For much of the match at Ashford (Middlesex), Oxford looked like securing the win they needed.

The visitors took the lead when Dan Smyth’s cross-shot was converted by Dan Bleach.

Ashford hit back with two goals – first from a disputed short corner, and the second from a back-post deflection.

Oxford came flying out of the blocks in the second half, and went 3-2 up after a Smyth brace – a penalty corner and a penalty flick.

However, Ashford drew level with a tap-in goal and won the game with ten minutes to go – from a quickly taken free hit.

Oxford then had to wait for news from Hawks, which turned out to be good for them.

Banbury’s relegation from Premier 1 was confirmed when they lost 2-0 at home to high-flying London Wayfarers.

The visitors opened the scoring from a short corner, which saw Banbury’s Dave Clark get a yellow card for dissent.

The second half started badly for Banbury, Josh Nunneley’s only mistake leading to Wayfarers’ second goal.

Oxford Hawks, already assured of promotion from Premier 2, lost their final match 2-0 against Ashford (Kent).

Witney finished fourth in their first season in Regional Division 2, following a victory and a draw over the weekend.

Two goals from Liam Frost and one from Justin Peel gave Witney a 3-0 win at Tring on Saturday. The following day they drew 0-0 with Bracknell.

OTHER RESULTS MBB&O LEAGUE

Regional 2: Oxford 2nd 2 (C Gray, C Mackenzie), Ramgarhia 3; Oxford 3rd 2 (T Harris, R Lawrence), South Bucks 3.

Div 2: Oxford Hawks 3rd 4, West Hampstead 3rd 3.

Div 3: Oxford 4th 4 (A Jurisich 4), Eastcote 4th 1; Oxford 5th 0, Harrow 9.

Div 4: Witney 2nd 4 (N Dunnington 2, T Yallop, C Partridge), Sonning 4th 1.

Div 6: Oxford 6th 1 (M Bramall), Ashford 3rd 1; Oxford 7th 0, Newbury & Thatcham 3rd 2; Oxford Hawks Fledglings 3 (P Nagle, S Griffiths, M Crampton-Smith), Leighton Buzzard 2nd 1.

Div 7: Witney 3rd 6 (A Birnie 3, F Barnard 2, D Hulme), Wallingford 4th 1; Oxford Hawks 4th 1, West Hampstead 7th 4.

Div 8: Witney 4th 4 (P Button 2, S Hook, J Bartrip), Aylesbury 4th 1.

Div 9: Oxford 8th 6, Bicester 3rd 1; Oxford Hamsters 1 (M Carter), Bracknell Terriers 3; Oxford Hamsters 0, Phoenix & R 3rd 3.

Div 10 West: Oxford 9th 2, Banbury 4a 6.

Wessex Masters League Div 1 (Veterans): Oxford Bulls 4, Salisbury Striders 3; Oxford Hawks Senators 5, Havant 2.