HEREFORDSHIRE CCC will be looking to repeat their heroics of two years ago after booking a money-spinning home tie with First Class Champion-ship opposition in next season's Cheltenham & Glouc-ester Trophy.

Former West Indian fast bowler Franklyn Rose proved a major signing for Herefordshire after he bagged 5-19 off his opening seven overs in an emphatic 126-run first-round win over Oxfordshire at Banbury on Sunday.

Herefordshire chairman Gwynne Jones is now eagerly awaiting the second-round draw later this month, hoping that the county will be handed a plum home tie against Worcestershire, Gloucestershire or Glamorgan for 2004. The match is likely to be staged at Luctonians.

He said: "It was very important for us to get through because it will bring some First Class opposition to Herefordshire. And, financially, the tie will help us immensely."

Jones added: "The three-wicket win over Middlesex two years ago at Luctonians was a memorable day for the club and so, too, was the subsequent tie against Worcestershire at New Road. I am not sure whether lightning strikes twice, but you never know."

Matthew Rawnsley, the former Worcestershire player, top scored with a fluent 61 as Herefordshire rattled up an imposing 267-9 - the county's third highest total in the C & G Trophy.

Rawnsley struck seven boundaries in his breezy 73-ball knock and shared in a 100-run competition fifth-wicket record stand for Herefordshire with wicket-keeper Ismail Dawood, who made 53 from just 49 balls.

The pair arrived at the crease at 112-4 following a solid 62-run opening stand between the dominant Harshad Patel (49) and New Zealander Aaron Barnes, who made 19 from 23 balls on his debut.

Martin McCague (18 not out), Nick Davies (18) and skipper Chris Boroughs (18) also made useful contributions to Herefordshire's tally.

Rose, who has played alongside McCague for David Folb's star-studded Lashings CC in Kent, immediately had the Oxfordshire innings in disarray.

The Sunderland professional ripped out the first four Oxfordshire batsmen, including three wickets with his first four balls, to reduce the home team to 7-4 after just 4.4 overs.

Although Oxfordshire made a recovery through A Cook (66) and R Lynch (21), the introduction of left-arm spinner Rawnsley (3-8 from 6.3) soon halted the revival and the home team were dismissed for 141 in the 32nd over.

Jones said: "We were very fortunate to get Rose and there is a possibility that we might be able to get him to play for us again next season."