Oxford's nightmare season continued when they lost at Division 1 leaders Henley by eight wickets shortly after lunch on Saturday.

A top against bottom clash was alway likely to be one-sided, but Oxford will be disappointed at the manner of their defeat after being shot out for just 78.

Meanwhile, all-conquering Henley recorded their eighth win out of eight matches to stay 39 points 39clear.

Put in to bat, Oxford’s toporder failed – not for the first time this season.

Talented left-arm seamer Tahir Afridi did the early damage, dismissing openers Ryan Carters and Vishane Perera in his first two overs.

There followed a steady flow of wickets, with Nick Hands falling to Tom Nugent, and skipper Ian Crosby trapped leg before for Afridi’s third wicket.

Shami Mendis and Andrew Clough both reached doublefigures before falling to Nugent.

Changing the bowling made no difference with Bjorn Mordt, Jake Doran and Gurveer Singh also getting among the wickets as Oxford were dismissed in the 25th over. Alex Morgan top-scored with 18.

Henley reached 14-0 by the lunch interval and wasted little time afterwards in sealing the victory.

Indeed they knocked off the runs in just 10.2 overs for the loss of Michael Roberts and David Barnes, both to the spin of Mendis.

Jake Doran, Australia’s Under 19 captain, hit an unbeaten 28 from ten balls to complete Oxford’s humiliation.