CAPTAIN Ellie Noble took four wickets as Oxfordshire Girls Under 17s beat Warwickshire by nine runs in a thriller at Charlbury.

The bowlers were very much on top in the ECB Women’s County Championship A Division Group 2 clash.

Warwickshire elected to field and despite coming under pressure, Oxon’s openers put on 35.

Charlotte Noble and Lucy Thomas saw off the new ball, but it was Rachael Potter (27), who steadied the side as wickets tumbled, along with Rebecca Woodnorth. Oxon were dismissed for 139 and knew they would have to bowl well and they did.

Potter (3-30) removed three of the top four, but the game looked beyond the hosts when Amelia Kite (63no) combined with Isabelle Wong (36).

But they never gave up and Noble took 4-28 as Oxon edged home.

The under 17s also played a friendly, suffering a five-wicket defeat to Cheshire at Malvern College.

Georgia Haworth shone for Oxon with an excellent 33, but there was not enough support as they were all out for 113.

Cheshire replied strongly and eased to victory.

Oxon’s under 15s came unstuck against Northamptonshire, losing by seven wickets at West Haddon in the ECB Women’s County Championship T20.

The visitors were restricted to 80-6, Kate Brine the pick of the batters with 15.

Northamptonshire came out firing and Flo Miller’s unbeaten 44 helped them to victory.