DESPITE another sparkling innings from Hugo Darby, Oxfordshire are facing the prospect of defeat in their Unicorns Counties Championship match against Herefordshire at Great & Little Tew.

The Oxford opener followed his spectacular 166 on the first day with a classy 67 yesterday, but this was the only bright spot in Oxfordshire’s display.

After two days of the Western Division match, Oxon are just 78 runs ahead with five second-innings wickets standing.

The first part of the day belonged to the Herefordshire opening pair of Matt Pardoe and Will Fraine, who put on 262 for the first wicket in reply to Oxon’s impressive first innings of 338 all out.

Fraine made 123 off 198 balls with one six and 13 fours, while Pardoe was unbeaten on 167 when the innings closed at 382-3 after 90 overs. He struck 21 fours.

The Oxon bowlers stuck to their task well, never letting the batsmen take complete control, and keeping the run rate to about four runs per over.

Seamer Will Rooney captured two quick wickets in mid-afternoon, while the experienced Chad Keegan went at less than three an over.

Even young left-armer spinner Jamie Curtis did well, until 15 runs from the final over spoiled his figures.

Herefordshire thus took a 44-run lead on first innings.

Oxon openers Darby and Harrison Ward wiped off this deficit, before the latter was stumped of Mohammed Pardesi’s googly.

Darby was in no trouble, scoring 67 off 92 balls, with ten fours, before being caught in the deep off Peter Burgoyne.

This was the first of four wickets for the off-spinner, whose other three victims, including skipper Jonny Cater for a duck, were all caught at short leg.

Lloyd Sabin remained along with night-watchman Curtis, but at 122-5, Oxon face a long uphill battle to avoid their third defeat of the Championship.