FEARSOME bowling from Charl Willoughby and Chris Chandler skittled out Oxford and Horspath for just 47 runs.

In an impressive Basingstoke and North Hants away display, the duo took a wicket each in their opening overs before going on to rout their hosts.

Oxford had no answer to the pace of the visiting bowlers, especially Willoughby. Once the top three batsmen were out for just four runs, the writing was on the wall.

Oxford never looked like getting anywhere near the Basingstoke total of 233 from 66 overs.

Ross Hunter top-scored with 60 not out, while Lee Nurse (48) and Scott Dyer (42) also contributed well to an innings lasting 205 playing minutes.

And wicket-keeper Hunter was also on form in the field, taking three fine catches.

The result lifted Basingstoke to third in the table, and confidence is high in the camp after an excellent run of four successive Home Counties premier league victories. Opener Lee Nurse said: "But for two penalty points, we would be second. The league is wide open now, and we have no reason not to think about winning it."

Next week, Basingstoke face second-placed Radlett at May's Bounty as they bid to close the gap on leaders High Wycombe, currently just 17 points ahead.