OXFORD Downs captain Darryl Woods says his side’s season was still a success, despite being pipped for the Cherwell League title.

Downs went into the final game of the season knowing that victory over Oxford 2nd would give them the Division 1 crown.

But although they crashed to a shock ten-wicket defeat to hand the championship to west Oxfordshire rivals Shipton, Woods remained upbeat.

“Although I am bitterly disappointed at not securing promotion when it was within our grasp, if someone had said at the start of the season we would be the runners-up, I would have grabbed that with both hands,” he said.

“We had looked for a top-four finish, so we are pleased with our summer’s work.

“We had also targeted a top-four finish for our second team, so for them to be champions was a marvellous effort from all concerned and a special mention for Steve Roberts, whose 74 wickets made it all the more possible.

“I would like to wish Shipton all the best for their first season in the Home Counties League, and with my Oxfordshire hat on, we need more teams at that level, so it’s disappointing that Horspath have come back down.

“We need our good young cricketers playing at the highest standard they can, as we hope this will have a knock-on effect for our Minor Counties teams in the future.”