Oxford University have suffered a serious blow before their one day match against Cambridge University at Lord's on June 28 and the four-day Varsity match at Fenners starting two days later.

Opening batsman and chief run-maker Graham Butcher, who scored 112 against MCC and followed it with 99 against the Midlands Cricket Club Conference, broke a thumb whilst batting against Sir Paul Getty's XI last Sunday and is not expected to play again for the University this season.

In the match switched from Wormsley to Shenley because of foot and mouth restrictions, the Dark Blues were dismissed for 106 in reply to Getty's 149.

*Half-centuries from Jason Constable and Alan Buckingham helped Marauders to rattle up 194-4 from 20 overs against Bicester and North Oxford in the Elmer Cotton Midweek League.

Despite a bold 77 by Vinod Fazal, Bicester went down by 28 runs.

ELMER COTTON MIDWEEK LEAGUE

Marauders 196-4 (A Buckingham 66, J Constable 57,) Bicester & North Oxford 166-4 (V Fazal 77 no).

Oxford Stars 122-9 (Khalid 49, Sulman 40, D Wong 3-19), Cricketers 119-7 (J Higgs 64, M Mohammed 31, Zahid 3-25).

Isis 66 (J Coleman 3-14), Headington Quarry 67-0 (C Groves 33).

*Kidlington gained a thrilling one-run victory over Oxford Downs in the first round of the Kingston Bagpuize TNT Cider Knock-out Cup. They will now neet either Kingston or Cumnor in the second round.

Scores: Kidlington 134-7 (A Buckingham 69, I Caunce 3-20), Oxford Downs 133-8 (D Lee 48, P Daniel 38).