Shahbaz Ali hit a whirlwind half-century against his old club, Banbury, to fire hosts Horspath into their first Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup final with a shock 57-run victory.

Ali blasted 51 off 31 balls, with five sixes coming off the last nine deliveries he faced, as Horspath made 156-8 from their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat in the semi-final.

He built on a platform laid by openers Jimmy Phillips (31) and Robbie Eason (25), who smashed 56 off the first six overs.

Banbury spinners Jimmy Phillips (3-24) and Luke Ryan (2-19) pegged Horspath back later in their innings.

But then the newly-crowned Home Counties Twenty20 champions were reduced to 4-2 as Lee Mason (2-15) and Will Eason (0-13) bowled tight opening spells.

Ryan gave Banbury, who were missing several key batsmen, brief hope with 31.

But they were never really in the hunt and were all out for 99 after 16 overs, with 14-year-old left-arm spinner Lloyd Belcher taking 3-25 and captain Adam Krol 3-29.

Horspath will meet the winners of the other semi-final between Great & Little Tew and Thame Town at Aston Rowant on Sunday, September 8 (2.30).

They were also expected to play on Tuesday. Hosts Tew turned up, but Thame, who claimed a postponement had been agreed, failed to show.

Organiser Chris Bishop said there was no question of awarding Tew a walkover.

“It is a semi-final and I will insist that the game is played,” he commented.

SEMI-FINAL RESULT

Horspath 156-8 (20 ovs, S Ali 51, J Phillips 31, J Phillips 3-24), Banbury 99 (16 ovs, L Ryan 31, L Belcher 3-25, A Krol 3-29).