DARRYL Woods hit a half-century on his debut as Oxfordshire opened their ECB 50+ Championship Group 4 campaign with a 65-run victory over Staffordshire at Banbury Twenty.

Woods made 59 off 114 balls, with three fours, in Oxon’s 171-6 off 45 overs after they were put in to bat.

Paul Hemmings, also in his first game, injected some late impetus into the innings with a breezy 31.

Oxfordshire then asserted a stranglehold on the Staffordshire reply, with the visitors bowled out for 106.

Kevin Taylor took 3-19 on his debut, while Steve Roberts returned remarkable figures of 9-7-5-2 and Mike Thomas picked up 2-17.

Oxon’s fourth debutant, Neil Megson, chipped in with three stumpings, while Nick Moorman claimed two smart catches.

Next up for Oxfordshire are Herefordshire at Challow & Childrey on Wednesday.

  • Latest Sport news