Oxfordshire's hopes of winning their second national title in three years ended when they were outclassed by Middlesex, who romped to a ten-wicket success at Wormsley yesterday.

Led by Alec Cunningham’s unbeaten half-century, Oxon reached a respectable score of 196-7, but Middlesex cruised past that total without loss thanks to a quite brilliant century from Mike Stafford.

As he had earlier taken four wickets, there was no doubting the man of the match.

Put in to bat on a pitch that seamed around early on, Oxon, who had won all previous ten games in the competition, made a steady start, with Paul Tew timing the ball nicely, following the early dismissal of Ian Caunce.

Cunningham shared a third-wicket stand of 68 in 16 overs with Tony Munsey, but the runs were not coming quickly enough against a tidy attack.

To make matters worse, Munsey and Adrian Manger were dismissed in quick succession to leave Oxon on 131-4 with ten overs left.

It was left to Cunningham, who had been dropped in the deep when on 25, to take the attack to Middlesex.

He responded magnificently, striking three boundaries in the 43rd over, which went for 20, with the help of five wides.

With Keith Arnold smashing the only six of the innings, Oxon were able to reach 196-7.

Cunningham’s unbeaten 74 came off 97 balls and contained nine fours.

This total seemed just below par, and Oxon’s hopes for early wickets never materialised as Stafford and fellow opener David Littlewood, who had earlier had to retire from keeping following a bang on the nose, laid a solid platform.

Oxon badly needed a wicket, but it just would not come, despite the introduction of Rob Willis, who was preferred for the one spinner’s position, as the unlucky Steve Kelly missed out on selection for a second successive final.

After being missed in the deep on 48 by Tew, Stafford reached his century off 120 balls as Middlesex moved serenely to the title, and eventually hit the winning runs with 3.5 overs to spare.

Littlewood gave good support on 67 not out.