The Oxfordshire 50+B team continued their incredible run of success by reaching their fifth Final in five years, beating Gloucestershire in this years Final of The Chris Bishop Trophy.
Due to the shortened season and the cancellation of all usual annual competitions, Captain Ross Buchanan created a mini tournament of 8 teams, including 6 first class counties and then named the trophy in memory of the man who both inspired him and countless others as young cricketers and who also created the 50+B team itself five years ago.
En route to the Final Oxfordshire beat Warwickshire, Wocestershire and Gloucestershire then meeting Middlesex in the semi final, when Man of the Match Richard Tilley took 5-35 and hit 74 not out to help his team through to five consecutive finals.
In the Final at Aston Rowant CC on Thursday Gloucestershire chose to bat first and registered 210 with the ever young Steve Kelly taking 3 for 30.
In reply Oxfordshire scored 213-3, new arrival Ben Watson leading the way with a magnificent 107, ably supported by Ali Shah and Mark Robey who both scored 32.
Ross said afterwards ‘In what has been a challenging year for everyone it gives me great pleasure to accept this trophy on behalf of my amazingly talented team who keep showing me year after year how much they enjoy playing their cricket in the finest of spirits. Chris Bishop was a much loved man who inspired many cricketers, so I’m very proud that the first victorious team name to be engraved on his trophy will be Oxfordshire. I know he’d be thrilled by that’
Back row left to right: Ben Watson, Colin Allen, Mark Robey, Mark Sheehan, Richard Tilley, Neil Harris (scorer)
Front row left to right: Ali Shah, Andrew Hodder-Williams, Ross Buchanan (Captain), Chris Panter, Jonny Atkins, Steve Kelly