OXFORD Downs clinched a spot in the John Goodman Cup semi-finals with a commanding 69-run victory at Horspath.

It was a curious game, with the hosts simply focusing on securing the seven bonus points required to reach the John Goodman Plate play-offs.

After being reduced to 30-3 by Lawrence Brock (3-31), Horspath’s attention switched to reaching 125 and claiming the two batting points, rather than chase the visitors’ 208-9.

With five bowling points already in the bag, Will Eason (29no), supported by Dwadesh Sehgal and Will Hawtin with 26 apiece, ensured the hosts closed on 139-7.

Tom Cosford took 3-20 after earlier blasting 70 off 74 balls against his old club, repairing the damage after Downs were reduced to 2-2 by Eason.

He was aided by opener Freddie Smith (35) in a stand of 110 for the third wicket, while Horspath off-spinner Alfie Turner picked up 4-49.

Downs visit High Wycombe for a place in the final, while Horspath travel to Thame Town in the plate semi-finals after they beat Banbury by 27 runs.

A 102-run stand between Oliver Ebsworth-Burland and Callum Russell for the second wicket put the home side in control, although they were given a scare by their opponents.

Banbury were within 100 runs with almost 13 overs remaining when Joe White was dismissed for 66, but the visitors fell away and slipped to a fourth successive defeat.

It means Lloyd Sabin’s side miss out altogether after a disappointing end to the season.

The hosts were put into bat after Banbury won the toss and elected to field.

Despite losing captain Michael Beard for eight, Ebsworth-Burland and Russell made the away side rue their decision.

The opener made 72 before the partnership was broken, while Russell continued the charge to end on 71 not out.

Banbury started their innings positively and Sabin and White put on 91 for the second wicket.

But Hassam Mushtag (3-29) dismissed both men and the away side were unable to recover.

Captain Josh Smith led by example as Aston Rowant beat Tring Park by five wickets to set up a plate semi-final at last year’s Division 1 champions Henley.

The skipper took the crucial wicket of opener David Burnell, who top-scored with 73 for the away side.

Meanwhile, Dominic Whatman posted figures of 3-24 as Tring set their opponents 212 to win.

Smith came to the crease with the score 47-2 and the match in the balance, but he put on a 102-run partnership with Wesley Morrick to leave the visitors on the back foot.

After his teammate fell for 78, Smith continued to plug away for an unbeaten 72, while Robin Pritchard sealed victory with a quickfire 13 from five balls.

Meanwhile, Oxford slumped to 56 all out as their disappointing campaign ended with a six-wicket defeat at Chesham.

Scotland Under 19 international Durness Mackay-Champion looked dangerous from the off and the visitors still looked capable of posting a competitive score when the dismissal of George Tait left them 36-3.

But they instead fell to an incredible collapse, with Oxford losing their final eight wickets for just 20 runs.

Mackay-Champion was the only player to trouble the Chesham attack, hitting five fours on his way to 28.

The result seemed a formality, but Oxford did not disgrace themselves in the field, reducing their hosts to 38-4 with Robert Keat in inspired form (4-27).

But the away side gave themselves too much to do and Chesham steadied themselves after their minor wobble to coast to victory.

John Goodman Cup semi-finals

Sat, Sept 12: Wokingham v Chesham, High Wycombe v Oxford Downs.

John Goodman Plate semi-finals

Sat, Sept 12: Thame Town v Horspath, Henley v Aston Rowant.