HEREFORDSHIRE lost their third group match in the Minor Counties Knock-out Trophy to Oxfordshire by just nine runs on the Duckworth-Lweis system.

Arriving at the beautiful Radley College ground in light drizzle, Herefordshire could have been forgiven for thinking it was not going to be their day.

The rain soon cleared, though, and a prompt start was made.

Losing the toss and being put into bat, Herefordshire were in early trouble at 7-2, but partnerships of 45 between Steve Adshead (66) and Chris Boroughs (14) and 54 between Adshead and Dave Exall (20) seemed to pull the game around.

However, Herefordshire then lost their last six wickets for just 32 runs with only Tom Austwick (10) reaching double figures. Luke Ryan was the best of the Oxfordshire bowlers, picking up 4-13.

In reply, Hereford made an early breakthrough with Shirazi well caught by Adshead off Freddie Eburah for one.

The visitors captured another two wickets before rain interrupted play for the first time with the score on 43-3. At this stage, Herefordshire were then in front on Duckworth-Lewis by one run.

There were two further interruptions for rain without any further loss of wickets before play was abandoned at 5.50pm with Oxfordshire’s score on 57-3, Duckworth-Lewis declaring them winners by nine runs.

If a further wicket had fallen during those interruptions, the Duckworth-Lewis par score would have been 61.

Herefordshire complete their group fixtures with a home match against Hertfordshire at Colwall on Sunday.