OXFORDSHIRE Under 17s endured mixed fortunes in a busy week when beating Shropshire on first innings, but suffered three heavy defeats to end their reign as national cup champions.

They began with an ECB County Cup tie against Bedfordshire at Stonesfield, falling to a 54-run loss.

The visitors, who were put into bat, posted a formidable 285-7.

Sammy Lion-Cachet was the pick of the attack with 2-23, while Tom Powell took 2-58.

Oxon’s reply got off to a poor start, quickly reduced to 30-3, before Powell (60no), Andy Francis (37), Finn Brabham (31) and Charlie Elliott (31) got them back on track.

But they went on to be bowled out for 231.

They then bounced back to record a first-innings win over Shropshire in the ECB Championship at Bridgnorth, played over two days.

Oxon were in deep trouble at 95-6.

But a fantastic lower-order display, marshalled by Lion-Cachet’s brilliant 97, saw them up to 274 all out.

Left-arm spinner Tom Chesser then took four wickets to dismiss Shropshire for 158 to wrap up a first-innings victory.

Oxon enforced the follow-on as they pushed for an outright win.

Despite losing seven wickets, Shropshire managed to bat out the day and avoid an innings loss.

However, 24 hours later, Oxon fell to an eight-wicket defeat in the ECB Cup at the same venue.

Tiredness looked to play a part as they were bowled out for 150.

Shropshire then cruised home on 151-2 to end Oxfordshire’s cup hopes for another season.

Their struggles continued when, in the same competition, losing by five wickets to Buckinghamshire at Campbell Park.

Unavailability led to a changed side and Oxon were shot out for 108, before Bucks eased home on 109-5.

The county’s Wessex Under 13 team beat Guernsey by four wickets in a friendly at Watlington.

The visitors chose to bat and, after a steady few overs, Jake Swaisland nicked to Toby Pollard as Oxon took an early wicket.

Spinner Luke Heritage dismissed Ronny Hallet and Blake Carre, while Noah Hilton-Drew bowled Charlie Clapham as Guernsey found themselves on 42-4.

Caspar Mannix and Harry Trowbridge took two wickets apiece, the former finishing with figures of 2-7 off five overs, as the visitors were all out for 76.

Guernsey responded immediately as Oxon slipped to 5-2, with Joe Travis and Will Hearn falling.

Jacob Knight and Toby Pollard took the score to 28.

But they were both dismissed, as was Kieran Churchill, to leave the hosts on 49-5.

Nathan Doran scored what proved to be a match-winning 22, putting on 70 for the sixth wicket with Hilton-Drew. Mannix then came in to finish off proceedings.