SUSSEX were too strong for Oxfordshire in their NCCA Showcase game at Wormsley.

The first-class county claimed a five-wicket win in the 50-over contest, bowling the hosts out for 205 and reaching their target with a third of their innings remaining.

Jonny Cater and Olly Clarke scored half-centuries for Oxon, while Robbie Shurmer returned bowling figures of 2/19.

Sussex won the toss and chose to bowl as a big crowd settled in for the day at the iconic ground.

They asserted their authority and restricted Oxon to 40/4 inside the first ten overs, removing past and present Sussex academy trio Harrison Ward (14), James Coles (12) and Zach Lion-Cachet (0).

The hosts fell to 82/6 but Cater and Clarke put on a stand of 89 to wrestle back some control, the latter eventually falling for 53.

Oxon’s skipper was the last to go in the 47th over, his 58 helping the home side pass 200.

Sussex began their reply at a terrific pace, although Shurmer’s two wickets and one for Prav Chahal gave the hosts a chance with their opponents 43/3.

Captain Tom Alsop was then run out to leave the visitors 67/4, but Delray Rawlins (82) and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (49*) took the game away from Oxon with a century stand.

Rawlins was removed by teammate Coles with Sussex 38 short of their target and they reached it with ease, sealing victory in the 33rd over.

Oxon’s next game is the NCCA Trophy semi-final against Cumbria at Great Tew CC this Sunday.