MCCA Knockout Trophy Group One

OXFORDSHIRE 188 (0pts) lost to DORSET 189-6 (2pts) by four wickets

DORSET booked their place in the quarter-final stage of the MCCA Knockout Trophy after they did enough to see off Group One basement boys Oxfordshire at Bicester & North Oxford CC.

The visitors impressed with the ball to restrict Oxfordshire, who had lost both of their fixtures prior to the contest, to just 188, after the home side won the toss and elected to bat.

Bashley seamer Jake Lilley was the pick of the Dorset attack, claiming three of the hosts’ top four as Chris Park’s side put the pressure on. There were also two wickets apiece for Brad Currie (2-28) and Sam Thomson (2-31).

Apart from Oxfordshire opener Hugo Darby (36), only keeper-batsman Jonathan Cater made a reasonable contribution with 61 coming from 94 deliveries, as the home side were skittled out in 49.2 overs.

In reply, Dorset lost Masoor Khan (19) and Mike Porter (12) relatively cheaply but Ryan Scott, on his return to the side after injury, helped put the visitors in the box seat with a patient 49 off 84 balls.

Coming in at four, Somerset professional Max Waller then looked to accelerate the Dorset innings.

He had reached 46 at a run-a-ball before he was caught and bowled by ex-Middlesex and Sussex man Chad Keegan.

Despite some nerves with skipper Park one of a flurry of wickets to fall in the latter stages, Dorset eventually got over the line with five overs to spare. Luke Webb finished unbeaten on 33.