Harrison Ward hit an unbeaten maiden Unicorns Counties Championship half-century on his Oxfordshire debut – at the age of just 15.

The Horspath left-hander ended a rain-affected day two of the Western Division clash against Herefordshire at Brockhampton on 77 not out as Oxon closed on 184-2 in their second innings.

His chanceless knock helped the visitors establish a commanding 276-run lead.

In his sights now is the chance to become the youngest Oxon player to score a Championship century.

That record is held by Ben Thompson, who was also playing for Horspath at the time, when he made 111 against Herefordshire in 1998 at the age of 17 years and 250 days.

After Oxon had bowled out Herefordshire for 179 to gain a first-innings lead of 92, Ward and Hugo Darby tightened the visitors’ grip on the game with a first-wicket stand of 137.

They were parted when Darby was bowled by Jamie McIlroy for 63 off 114 balls with seven fours.

Lloyd Sabin made a quick 20 before he was caught at backward square leg by Dan Conway off Matthew Pardoe.

But Ward was still there at the close with Richard Kaufman, having faced 182 balls and hit eight fours.

Earlier, Herefordshire had collapsed in the face of some fine bowling from paceman Chad Keegan (4-69).

Resuming on 120-3, they had moved on to 146 when Liam Gwynne was caught behind by Jonny Cater off Keegan for 66.

His runs came off 109 deliveries with 11 fours.

That was the trigger for the hosts to cave in with the last seven wickets going down for just 33 runs.

Keegan removed David Exall and Mohammed Pardesi with successive balls, before bowling Charlie Lowen seven runs later.

Luke Ryan trapped Will Barrett lbw on the same score, before Harvey Eltham wrapped up the innings by removing Ali Jahangir and Dan Conway, with the two spinners both finishing with 3-36.