Oxfordshire 50+ B team beat Worcestershire in the Final to win The Chris Bishop Trophy for the second year running . The team have now reached an amazing 6 Finals in six years since their creation by Chris Bishop himself, collecting 5 trophy wins.

 

Wocestershire had scored 120 in a shortened match with all 5 bowlers keeping things tight, then Andrew Hodder-Williams stroked 63 not out off 50 balls, ably supported by Mark Sheehan with 25 off 14, to take Oxfordshire to a comfortable victory with more than 2 overs to spare.

 

The semi-final against Hampshire had been a much closer affair, Oxfordshire batting first and scoring 144, led by Patrick Arnold with 54 off 50 balls, supported by the in-form Andrew Hodder-Williams with 42 off 36.

 

Hampshire looked on target for most of their chase, with opener Paul Burrows smashing 88 not out off 65 balls, however a lack of support and a vital 2-18 at the death from bowler Rasheed Khan swung things back in Oxfordshire’s favour and Hampshire ended 15 runs short.

 

Team manager Ross Buchanan said ‘The lads played consistently well as a team throughout the season, winning 6 of their 8 league matches and that  spirited form continued all the way through to the Finals Day. It was fitting that the Oxfordshire skipper who received the trophy on the day was Andy Slater, who Chris Bishop had personally inspired as a youngster at Oxford Nondescripts. Skipper for the season was Chris Hutton, who had unfortunately suffered a heart attack during the Blenheim triathlon just a week earlier, so it was heartwarming to be able to deliver the trophy to him at home that evening, in support of his convalescence.’