IN only their third season playing competitive cricket, Oxfordshire Over 50s B team have completed a historic hat-trick of trophy victories.

The side, skippered by Ross Buchanan, won the Southern Counties Seniors Championship for an unprecedented third year running with a 65-run victory over Bedfordshire in the final at Marlborough.

After being inserted, Oxon were made to work hard for their runs as they scored 195-8 from their 45 overs.

Jonny Atkins top-scored with 62 and shared a second-wicket partnership of 71 with Sam Mendes (31), while Colin Allen weighed in with a brisk 29 at the end.

Naseer Ahmed was Bedfordshire's best bowler, taking 3-36.

After 20 overs of the reply, the match was evenly poised with the score on 80-3.

However, the remaining seven wickets fell for just a further 50 runs to Neil Wilkins (4-16) and Stuart Bullen (3-36), who combined in a devastating spell as Oxfordshire dismissed their opponents for 130 in 37.4 overs.

The bowlers were well-supported in the field, Chris Panter taking a superb catch, sprinting 30 yards and diving at full stretch.

Buchanan said: “We are all incredibly proud to achieve this victory wearing our county’s badge on our chests and dedicate this treble to the memory of our first manager, Chris Bishop.”

Since being formed in 2015, the B team have recorded 34 wins and suffered only three defeats against other county sides.