There will be one person firmly on the minds of Oxfordshire Over 50s cricketers when they take on Lancashire in the final of the ECB 50+ Championship on the Nursery Ground at Lord's this Sunday.

Derek Primett, who set up and ran the side for more than 20 years, died earlier this summer.

It was his dream to win the national final and was desperately disappointed when the team twice fell at the semi-final stage.

"We've dedicated this season to Derek," said Oxfordshire captain Andrew Wingfield Digby. "We will aim to fulfil his dream on Sunday."

As a mark of repsect, Wingfield Digby has inaugurated a Derek Primett award for the player of the season. The presentation to the first winner will be made after the final.

Oxon go into the game as underdogs against a Lancashire side who have already won the title four times.

"We don't know much about them, but they are sure to be a team of hardened league cricketers," said Wingfield Digby.

There are no big-name former Lancashire players in the side. Indeed, Wingfield Digby is the only player on either side with first-class experience.

He played for Oxford University as a long-haired fast bowler in the early 1970s and actually appeared on the Lord's main ground four times in Varsity Matches.

Both Phil Garner, at 62 the oldest member of the team, and Adrian Manger have played at Lord's in National Village Championship finals.

"We're trying to treat it just like any other game," said Wingfield Digby, who feels Oxfordshire's strength is their all-round ability.

"We have lots of players who can both bat and bowl, so we have plenty of options."

This was particularly the case in the semi-final against Cheshire, who appeared to be cruising to victory when Wingfield Digby tured to the off-spin of Steve Partington.

He transformed the game, picking up six wickets and getting Oxon through to their first final.

Wingfield Digby said the hardest part had been selecting the side for the semi-final. It had been difficult to leave out Clive Ricks and Steve Kelly in what is an unchanged line-up for the final.

Oxon's key man could be their own Lancastrian Ian Caunce, a big-hitting opening batsman, who will surely enjoy the short boundaries on the Nursery Ground.

If he gets going, Oxon could move out of reach.

Whatever the outcome, Oxon have at least fulfilled part of Primett's dream by reaching the final.

Oxon are expecting about 200 followers, including a fully-booked supporters' coach for the game which starts at 11am. Entry is free.