OXFORDSHIRE Under 17s kick-started their season with a superb 42-run victory against Herefordshire.

After a narrow defeat in the ECB Championship game against the same opponents, Oxon bounced back in style with an excellent display in their ECB County Cup Group 2B clash at Oxford Downs.

It did not start well, however, as after choosing to bat first, Oxon slumped to 60-5.

However, skipper George Tait led by example with a captain’s innings of 69 in 109 balls to set his side on the way to recovery.

They eventually fought back to set a competitive total of 181-8 in their 50 overs.

However, it was their fine bowling and fielding display that won the day.

Tom Gould was the stand-out fielder, taking three stunning catches in the slips.

Sam Powell (2-23) and Tom Powell (2-24) were the pick of the Oxfordshire bowlers as they dismissed the visitors, coached by ex-England Test match player Bill Athey, for 139 in the 40th over.

Oxfordshire Under 15s lost by five wickets against Dorset in Group 4B of the ECB County Cup at Bournemouth CC.

After losing a host of early wickets, Oxon were soon up against it.

Oliver Shaw, batting at No 7, led the fightback with an unbeaten 45 as the visitors closed on 158-8 from their 50 overs.

The Dorset top order took the game away from Oxon, and although Harry Startin (2-41) did his best to peg things back, he was unable to prevent the hosts from easing home.

James Coles hit a half-century, but Oxfordshire Under 14s lost by five wickets against Somerset in their County Cup Group 3 clash at Cleeve CC.

Oxon were dismissed for 175 with Coles the star of the show with a superb 64.

He was given good support by Anton Eisner, who chipped in with 27 as the visitors posted a competitive target.

After an early breakthrough by Jacob Ford-Langstaff, the home side built two very good partnerships which took the game away from Oxfordshire.

Eisner finished with 2-9, but Somerset reached the total with five wickets remaining.