Steve Partington took six wickets to steer Oxfordshire Over 50s into the final of the ECB 50+ Championship with a thrilling 12-run victory in Cheshire yesterday.
Oxfordshire won the toss and elected to bat first, and got off to a superb start with Ian Caunce and Paul Tew putting on 81 for the first wicket.
Caunce was particuarly impressive, hitting three sixes, but both he and Tew were out in successive overs.
Phil Garner and Alec Cunningham then put on 45 for the third wicket, while Adrian Manger top-scored with an unbeaten half-century, as Oxon closed on 210-7 from their 45 overs.
Like Oxfordshire, the home side got their reply off to a flier with openers Phil Thomas and Steve Yates putting on 95.
Thomas fell for 56 and Yates 49, but with the score at 141-2, Cheshire appeared to be cruising.
However, Oxon were in no mood to surrender, and Partington took control to rip out the middle and lower order.
Although Cheshire No 10 scored 29 in 14 balls, he ran out of partners as the home side were all out for 199.
Oxon will play Somerset or Lancashire in the final at the Lord's Nursery Ground on September 28.
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