OXFORDSHIRE claimed the Nurton-York Trophy with victory in both T20 matches against Buckinghamshire.

Having won the 50-over clash earlier this month, the hosts at Aston Rowant needed just one success to triumph in the inaugural edition.

But after taking the first match by 18 runs, they followed it up with an 11-run victory to complete a clean sweep.

Skipper Jonny Cater opted to bat first after winning both tosses.

In the first match, opener Shabaaz Alam laid the foundations for a competitive total with 35 from 34 balls.

Also read: Home Counties Premier League round-up - Downs beat leaders

No other player got past 20, but the home side were still able to get up to 122-6 from their allocation.

Jack Brooks opened the bowling in his first appearance for the county since 2009.

He was wicketless from three tidy overs, as his teammates in the attack had more joy.

Olly Clarke (3-14) was the pick of the bowling unit, while Robbie Shurmer and James Coles collected two wickets apiece as Buckinghamshire were dismissed for 104 at the start of the final over.

Coles continued his sensational summer in the second match, hitting 73 not out from 66 balls to provide the backbone to Oxon’s innings.

The knock included six fours and a six on his home ground, while he put on 47 for the third wicket with Harrison Ward.

It helped Oxon improve on their score in the first match, this time reaching 135-6.

Brooks claimed a first wicket for his county in more than a decade by bowling Eliot Callis for four.

But Bucks looked well placed to chase down their target as Alexei Kervezee (38), Conrad Louth (25) and Daniel Ogden (23) all scored quickly.

But two run outs in as many balls at the end of the 11th over swung the momentum back towards the home side.

Clarke (3-19) again claimed the best figures as the visitors ran out of time, finishing on 124-8.

  • OXFORD Downs are hosting a charity match today.

Former England captains David Gower and Mike Gatting are due to umpire the match, which will see the Lord’s Taverners take on a Masked Cricketers XI.

The latter side has come out of players to have featured on a Facebook Live series produced during lockdown and will be captained by Oxon youngster George Tait.

Money raised is going to support disability cricket in Oxfordshire.