Oxford captain Jason Harrison was pleased with his side’s efforts despite losing in the Cockspur Cup’s Home Counties Premier League final.

Harrison’s men went down by six wickets to Welwyn Garden City at Bishop’s Stortford in the Twenty20 event on Sunday after defeating Reading by 26 runs in the semi-final.

“We did well to reach the final and proved we are one of the country’s best Twenty20 teams,” said Harrison, whose side had previously beaten Tring Park, Horspath and Aston Rowant.

“We didn’t quite get it right in the final, but Ian Evans and Stuart Hole were injured and they are two key players for us in Twenty20.”

Oxford made 122 all out against Reading, with Stewart Laudat top-scoring on 28.

Then a fine team effort saw Reading dismissed for 96.

Oxford looked well set with three overs to go in the final, but could only manage 125-9, which Welwyn passed with four overs to spare.

Welwyn will now represent the Home Counties in the South East area finals.

  • THE MP Sports Cherwell League have overruled an appeal by Bourton Vale’s Mark Whitney into his ban from playing until 2012.

Whitney challenged last month’s ruling, which came after umpires asked him to leave the field in a Division 1 match against Cumnor, but the league ruled the suspension will stand.