OXFORDSHIRE Over 50s’ run in ECB 50 Plus Championship came to an end when they lost by five wickets to Leicestershire & Rutland at Lutterworth.

Batting first, Oxon were reeling at 9-3 after losing Nick Moorman, Graham Charlesworth and Ian Caunce.

Alec Cunningham, who made 78 not out, and skipper Darryl Woods (37) added 84 to help Oxon recover to 180-6 off their 45 overs.

The hosts reached 182-5 in the 41st over to secure their place in the last four.

In their inaugural season, Oxon Over 50s B side earned a home semi-final in the Southern Counties Championship with a seven-wicket victory over Bedfordshire at Dunstable.

Shaun Miller returned remarkable figures of 1-9 from nine overs to help restrict Beds to 164.

An unbroken stand of 111 between Ian Harris (64 not out off 60 balls) and debutant David Acland (57 not out off 43) saw Oxfordshire reach 167-3 wickets with 20 overs to spare for their seventh victory in eight group matches.

They will now host either Dorset or Gloucestershire in the last four on a date and venue to be arranged.

Oxfordshire Over 60s lost by 93 runs to Essex in their National 60+/70+ County Championship play-off match at Banbury Twenty.

Nigel Bloch scored 113 as Essex totalled 242-6.

Despite an unbeaten 65 by Andrew Wingfield Digby, Oxon were bowled out for 149.