OXFORDSHIRE recovered from a perilous 67-8 to beat Hampshire by just one run and reach the quarter-finals of the ECB Over 60s County Championship.

After a disastrous start at Hursley Park, Oxon had Clive Ricks (31) and Steve Wilson (29no) to thank for a ninth-wicket stand of 51.

Wilson and Jim Blackford then took the visitors to 139-9 from their 45 overs.

Blackford then delivered a miserly spell of 1-9 from his nine overs, while Andrew Wingfield Digby took 3-21.

Tight bowling and fielding left Hampshire needing four to win from the last over, bowled by Adrian Manger.

This became two with four balls remaining, but amazingly Manger bowled four dots leaving Oxfordshire winners by a single run.

They now play Bucks in the last eight at Oxford Downs on Tuesday (1).

l OXON Boys Under 14s suffered a rare reverse when they lost by six wickets away to Gloucestershire in the ECB County Cup.

Thomas Lydford-Brace (38no) and James Coles (37) led the way as Oxon totalled 198, but the hosts eased in.

Charlie Symonds saved Oxon Under 13s’ blushes with a run-a-ball 24 to help them reach 63 in a friendly against Gloucestershire at Buscot Park.

Will Gilderson took five wickets for the visitors, who cruised in by eight wickets.

l OXON Girls Under 17s suffered a two-wicket defeat against Staffordshire in their ECB County Championship game at Charlbury.

Only Sophie Mitchelmore (14) and Ellie Noble (18) reached double figures as Oxon were dismissed for 67. Noble and Mitchelmore (4-27) reduced the visitors to 42-7, but they scrambled in.

Former Oxon player Flo Miller struck 68 not out as hosts Northants reached 140-3 in their Under 15 County Championship match.

Oxon were all out for 76, Mia Thompson making with 19.

Oxon Under 11s suffered two friendly defeats at Malvern.

Thanks to Aimee Diab’s 43 not out, Oxon posted 90-5 off their 20 overs against Suffolk Development XI, who went on to triumph by eight wickets.

In their second match, Oxon chased Shropshire’s 128-3 but lost by 34 runs, despite fine innings from Diab (33) and Rosie Woods (23).