OXFORD MCC Universities’ bowlers hit back well as 16 wickets fell on the opening day of their first-class match against Middlesex in The Parks yesterday.

Malcolm Lake scored more than half the students’ runs as they were dismissed for 124 in 46.1 overs.

But despite being 54-0 in reply, Middlesex struggled later in the day and closed on 98-6.

Oxford skipper Sam Weller opted to bat first against a Middlesex side containing three England players – seamer Steve Finn and batsmen Sam Robson and Nick Compton.

However, it did not take long before the students were in deep trouble.

Henry Hughes was caught by David Malin off the bowling of Tim Murtagh in the first over.

Stephen Leach then fell to Finn, again caught by Malin.

Two wickets in three balls – Lloyd Paternott caught by Robson off Finn and Lloyd Sabin falling lbw to Murtagh, saw Oxford 15-4 in the ninth over.

Lake’s arrival helped stabilise the innings.

The Zimbabwe Under 19 international eventually fell for 66 in the 35th over, his 110-ball knock containing 11 fours.

His wicket was the second of three to fall for just one run as Oxford were eventually dismissed for 124 in the 47th over.

Middlesex openers Nicholas Gubbins and Robson shared a half-century opening stand, before the latter was trapped leg before by Lake.

Weller then had Gubbins caught by Edward Ellis, and Malan fell lbw to Jack Grundy to make it 74-3.

Compton, Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie were then all snaffled cheaply by Oxford’s bowlers to leave the match in the balance.