A MONSTER opening stand put paid to Oxford Downs’ hopes of John Goodman Cup glory as they lost to High Wycombe by eight wickets.

The visitors posted a competitive 196 all out in the final, but Eliot Callis (103no) and Alexander Woodland (84) put on 182 for the first wicket to all but seal victory for the Buckinghamshire side.

Wycombe’s Dan Marles had earlier torn through the away side’s lower order, ending with figures of 7-32.

It proved to be the first part of a disappointing weekend for Downs, who lost today’s Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup T20 final to Banbury by 17 runs.

Captain Tom Costley elected to bat after winning the toss and the early signs suggested he made the right decision.

Downs openers Will Watts and Freddie Smith put on 70 for the first wicket, before the latter fell for 21 to Woodland, Connor Haddow taking the catch.

The away side would have fancied their chances of passing the 200 mark even when James Ellwood was bowled by Marles for 10, leaving them 169-4 with seven overs left.

But Marles stepped up for Wycombe, while Watts was trapped lbw by Haddow one run short of his century.

Downs could only stand and admire Callis and Woodland’s masterclass, with the pair on track to reach the target themselves until the latter was caught by Lawrence Brock off the bowling of Costley.

Wycombe sealed the win little more than three overs later, the final run coming from a wide off Curtly Slatter.

Thame Town came closer to victory in their John Goodman Plate final, but could not stop Henley claiming the trophy with a six-wicket win.

As with Downs, the Oxfordshire side were grateful to one of their openers as Shahbaz Meer top-scored with 71.

Hassam Mushtaq also impressed with 43, but Tom Nugent (5-25) and Harry Jordan (4-42) proved a thorn in Thame’s side as they were all out for 177.

Jonathon Jelfs bowled Henley opener Matthew Rowe for a duck to give the hosts the best possible start, but Euan Woods (65no) helped Henley claim victory with three overs to spare.