OXFORDSHIRE are the golden oldies kings of English cricket after a dramatic three-run victory over Lancashire in the final on the Nursery Ground yesterday.

That outcome seemed most improbable when Oxfordshire slumped to 53-6 after choosing to bat first, but a spirited 75 from Adrian Manger and an important contribution from skipper Andrew Wingfield Digby helped them reach 186-8 from their 45 overs.

The total appeared inadequate against the four-time champions on a small ground on which the straight boundaries were barely 50 yards.

But a brilliant bowling and fielding performance saw Oxon crowned Over 50s champions for the first time in a nail-biting climax – a fitting result in the year that their founder and manager Derek Primett died.

Oxon's early collapse on a bright morning owed more to tight Lancashire bowling and some poor selection rather than any devils in a slow pitch.

Both openers, Ian Caunce and Paul Tew, were trapped leg before, Phil Garner chased a wide one, while Alec Cunningham's promising innings was ended by a heave across the line.

With Malcolm Evans playing on and Steve Partington edging to the keeper – both for ducks – Oxon were in dire straits at 53-6 after 19 overs.

The match did not look like going beyond lunchtime.

However, Wingfield Digby set the scoreboard moving with a legside six, and Manger took his cue by playing some strong strokes in what turned out to be a match-winning stand of 72 in 16 overs.

After the skipper lost his leg stump, Manger went into overdrive scoring 25 from his last 11 balls.

He departed for 75 off 105 balls with nine fours and three sixes, one of which landed on the roof of the indoor school.

According to the experts, a score of 250 was par for the course, but tidy opening spells by Wingfield Digby and Trevor Spindler kept the Lancashire openers in check.

Straight after the first drinks break, Wingfield Digby, who had just before dropped a sharp chance at mid-off, took two wickets in an over.

Mike Ingham and John Punchard took the score to 73 before the former succumbed to Rob Willis.

Possibly the key moment came when sharp work by Evans ran out Dave Cunningham.

From there, Oxon's fortunes improved with the spin of Steve Partington capturing two wickets as Lancashine slipped to 112-7 after 36 overs Oxon were favourites, but the dangerous Punchard then took 29 off two overs to leave Lancashire needing 35 off five.

Then Cunningham returned after an unsuccessful first spell to trap Punchard lbw for a brilliant 76.

When Willis caught a skier to dismiss Ian Howarth to make it 158-9, Oxon seemed home and dry.

But the last pair of Howard Lyon anhd Tony Potter batted so effectively, that 12 runs were needed from the final over bowled by Cunningham.

A boundary off the fifth ball, left them needing four off the last delivery, but to the delight of the Oxon players and their 250 vociferous supporters, Cunningham bowled Lyon to secure a famous victory.

Amid much emotion, Wingfield Digby received the Brian Aspital Cup and Oxfordshire were national champions – by a whisker.