Stylish 8 wicket win at Banbury

Oxfordshire 329-9 & 237, Cheshire 354-8 dec & 216-2. Cheshire won by 8 wickets

Scorecard and video highlights

Western Division1 Table

Cheshire rose to their day three challenge to secure a fine eight wicket victory over Oxfordshire at Banbury.

Sam Perry (76*) and skipper Rob Sehmi (80*) put on 160 for the third wicket to see Cheshire home with an hour to spare.

Set 213 to win and with a watchful eye on the weather, the two looked in little trouble as they confidently moved towards their target.

Earlier, a crucial first hour had seen the Cheshire bowlers dismiss the previous day's heroes as George Tait went for 42 and Tom Cosford 96. The attack took 6-48 with David Wainwright grabbing 4-75, Ben Gibbon 3-48 and Steve Green 2-40.

Calum Rowe, clearly relishing his return to the Cheshire ranks lost Tim Hughes with the score on 41 as the two then set the platform for Perry and Sehmi.

Skipper Sehmi praised the all-round performance of his side across an enjoyable three days with a number of notable performances with bat and ball. "It was great to see Will Evans' (112*) in such devastating form but there were eleven of us out there and we really gelled well to bring that win home," he said.

Team manager Pete Babbage - with a Cheshire  cat grin, added "It was hugely impressive. We've an outstanding seam attack who worked their socks off throughout the game. The spinners impressed too and the run charge on the second day was incredible,. Great to see Rob in the runs in both innings,Calum is relishing his return and Sam Perry is in the form of his life.

"All the players deseve great credit,. They've bonded well, are enjoying their cricket and all work hard for each other.

"It's a young side and I know we've got much more to ccome."

With Berkshire sitting this round of games out and Dorset beating Wiltshire,Cheshire and Dorset sit at the top of the Western Division 1 table.

"We've now got a couple of weekends off," said Babbage, "so we'll see how the others fare before we return to take on Wiltshire at Alderley Edge and then we go to Berkshire. Exciting times.

Oxfordshire 7 points, Cheshire 24 points