THE county’s over-50s cricket team beat the odds just in time to “say goodbye” to their beloved coach by handing him a trophy on his deathbed.

Chris Bishop lost his battle with cancer last week, aged 75, but in his final days he was presented with the Southern Counties Senior Championship.

The team’s captain Ross Buchanan said championship glory was “meant to be” and that the players were inspired to win it for their coach after his lymphoma returned earlier this year.

The 50-year-old from North Oxford, said: “I very much felt it was meant to be - I won something like twelve coin tosses in a row and I never thought we wouldn’t win the championship.

“I knew he was battling cancer from the start of the season but from the fifth game onwards the players were aware of his condition – it was a race against time.

“We had a huddle before each game and the last thing we said together was “Bish” – he was in our minds the whole time.”

Mr Bishop, who coached hundreds of young cricketers – including former England captain Andrew Strauss – during his time with Oxfordshire Colts under-19s team and Oxford Nondescripts, set up the over-50s 2nd XI two years ago.

After one season playing friendly games the team made their league debut this season to compete against county cricket heavyweights Surrey and Hampshire.

The team – whose highest runscorer was James Bond director Sam Mendes – won the East group at a canter before overcoming Dorset in the semi-finals to set up a clash with Hampshire earlier this month.

Hampshire got off to a flying start in the final at Trowbridge but Oxfordshire fought back and won by seven wickets.

Mr Buchanan, who was introduced to club cricket by Mr Bishop, from Headington, more than 30 years ago, said: “I went straight up the morning after the game to the Churchill Hospital to take the trophy to him.

“He just took it in his hand and staring at it he said “I don’t believe it.”

Mr Buchanan added: “We had a good hour-long chat and shared our memories – it was an amazing way to say goodbye to him.”

“What Chris did for me, telling me I was a good player and inspiring me to do better, play at the highest level I could, he has done for countless hundreds of other young cricketers in Oxfordshire over several decades.”

The chartered surveyor, who was a member at Oxford Golf Club, died four days after holding the trophy, spending his last 48 hours in Sobell House Hospice.

Close friend Peter Fenn, who regularly umpired alongside Mr Bishop in the Cherwell League, said: “I had the good fortune to be “paired” with Chris in recent seasons and always enjoyed his company and advice.

“He was a great character and will be sorely missed.”