THERE were celebrations as Oxfordshire Over 50s B team retained their Southern Counties Seniors Championship with a six-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in a rain-hit final.

The match should have been played at Trowbridge, Wiltshire, but a downpour flooded the ground.

It was switched at short notice to Aston Rowant and reduced to 30 overs per side.

Gloucestershire, put in to bat, rattled up 195-8, led by Adrian Knox’s 69 not out.

However, a shower delayed the Oxon innings, the hosts being set a reduced target of 157 runs off 24 overs.

Thanks to Andrew Hodder-Williams, who made 65 from 45 balls, including 24 off one over, Oxon had 111 runs on the board in just 13 overs.

His opening partner, Ian Harris, made 43 off 39 balls before Sam Mendes and Neil Wilkins kept up the momentum, ensuring the target was passed with six wickets and five overs to spare.

It has been an outstanding season for the Oxfordshire side, who won 12 of their 13 games played.

l HORSPATH were crowned the inaugural champions on a rain-affected Oxfordshire Under 19 NatWest T20 Blast finals day at Great & Little Tew.

Skipper Lloyd Belcher lifted the trophy after his side emerged victorious by 43 runs over Shipton-under-Wychwood in a final reduced to a five-over slog.

Asad Rafiq smashed an unbeaten 32 as Horspath posted an impressive 70-1, before Shipton were restricted to 27.

In the semi-final, reduced to 15 overs-a-side, Horspath made 113-7 before bowling out Great Tew for 70, while Shipton defeated Cumnor.