HEAVY rain prevented Oxfordshire from falling to a potentially heavy defeat in their cricket friendly with Berkshire at Thame yesterday.

The home side were chasing a daunting target of 310-5 in 50 overs when the rain came after just three overs.

In that time they had already lost Bourton Vale opener Keith Mustow, leg before to former Kent and England paceman Alan Igglesden.

Oxfordshire, already missing a number of key players, were hit by overnight injuries and withdrawals.

Indeed, Rover Cowley batsman Stewart Laudat did not turn up, forcing them to take the field with ten men.

Jamie Hodgson rattled up 107 not out off just 104 balls as Berkshire flayed the threadbare Oxfordshire attack.

Bicester and North Oxford off-spinner Paul Jeacock was the pick of the Oxon bowling, taking 2-45 in his ten overs.

Story date: Monday 19 April

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