Oxfordshire Over 50s reached the ECB 50+ Championship final for the second time in three seasons with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Kent at Cumnor yesterday.

After reducing Kent to 206-5 overs, Oxon, led by a fine all-round display by Adrian Manger, sped to victory with three overs to spare.

The victory earns them a place in the final against Middlesex, provisionally at Derby on Sunday, September 19.

Oxon, who defeated Lancashire in the 2008 final at Lord’s inserted the visitors following a delayed start due to rain.

A tidy spell by Manger kept Kent in check, but it was Cropredy wicket-keeper Mick Pond who dismissed both openers with a catch and a stumping.

Keith Arnold, hero in the quarter-final win over Hampshire, was proving more expensive.

But the key spell came from Witney Mills’ Steve Kelly, who captured four wickets, breaking through every time Kent looked like establishing control.

In Arnold’s second spell, he secured his first ever stumped victim, as Pond excelled again.

Kent’s total of 206 from 45 over was considered par for the course.

Ian Caunce soon made that score seem insufficient with a stunning display of hitting.

The Oxford Downs opener hammered 53 off 33 balls with six fours and four sixes to dominate an opening stand of 83 in 16 overs with Paul Tew.

Caunce departed first and when Tew and Tony Munsey fell in quick succession, Kent sensed their chance.

But this was snuffed out by Alec Cunningham, who had bowled well in the Kent innings, and Manger.

Pacing the game nicely, the pair added an unbroken stand of 119 to see the side home without any trouble at all.

Cunningham, made 62 not out off off 76 balls with seven fours and a six, while Manger’s unbeaten 47 came off 58 balls.

In yesterday’s other semi-final at Taunton Deane, Middlesex beat Somerset by one wicket with three balls to spare.