Horspath picked up the Voneus Village Cup for the third time in four years with a nail-biting four-wicket win at Oxford Downs in the county final.

A fine effort in the field by the holders saw the Standlake-based hosts restricted to 144-7 after they had chosen to bat.

Horspath, set on the way by opener Tom Coleman (30), were cruising at 114-3 with 11 overs remaining as in-form pair Josh Richardson and Stephen Green led the chase.

But after Gus Watts bowled Green for 30 to end their fourth-wicket stand of 61, the runs dried up and the game was in the balance when Ben Ling produced a double-wicket maiden.

His quickfire brace included Richardson, who smashed two sixes in a well-made 39 before he chipped a catch to Sam Herbert at mid-wicket, as the visitors stuttered to 130-6 with three overs left.

However, in a tense finish stand-in skipper Amin Rafiq kept his cool with Elliot Ruff, who hit the winning boundary off the first ball of the last over to steer Horspath home at 146-6 and spark joyous celebrations.

Ling finished with 2-10 in Downs' fightback, while Watts picked up 2-30 and Herbert returned impressive figures of 1-14 from his eight overs.

Earlier, Horspath had pegged back the home side after they reached 47-0, with Asad Rafiq making the breakthrough when his brother, Amin, accepted a chance from Sam Cross (24) at mid-wicket.

Taking the pace off the ball, the visitors took charge with Amin (3-25) well supported by excellent spells from fellow off-spinner Joval Calix (1-14) and seamer Jehan Mohammed (1-20) as Downs struggled to 96-5.

It took a run-a-ball 27 from Ben Ling to take the hosts to their final total, but it wasn't quite enough.

Now Horspath is at home to Berkshire champions Peppard Stoke Row, who beat White Waltham by 35 runs, in the fifth round, the last 32 on the road to Lord's, on Sunday, June 23.

Scores: Oxford Downs 144-7 (40ovs, Amin Rafiq 3-25), Horspath 146-6 (39.1ovs, J Richardson 39, S Green 30, T Coleman 30).