MCCA Trophy

Oxfordshire kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals after defeating Herefordshire by nine runs under the Duckworth Lewis Method at Radley College yesterday.

Left-arm spinner Luke Ryan was Oxon’s star, taking 4-13 off eight over as they clinched the rain-affected Group 3 clash.

Victory over Dorset next Sunday at Weymouth will ensure Oxfordshire reach the last eight.

Oxon’s decision to bowl after winning the toss immediately paid dividends as Herefordshire slumped to 7-2.

Former Gloucestershire wicket-keeper Steve Adshead was the only visiting batsman to get going, scoring almost half of their runs with a fluent 66 off 82 balls, including ten fours.

Adshead was Herefordshire’s seventh man out with the score on 127, while only David Exall and Chris Burroughs also made it into double figures.

Ryan was well-supported by Daniel Rowe (3-38) and Stuart Hole (2-28) in a super team bowling effort.

Oxon’s reply was halted by 30 and 15 minute rain delays before the match was washed out.

But Herefordshire’s paltry total meant the hosts could afford to lose the wickets on Damian Shirazi, Chris Sanbach and Nathan Hawkes and still stay ahead of the par score.

In the end, Richard Kaufman (20no) and David Smith (4no) took Oxfordshire over the finish line.