OXFORDSHIRE’s pr-eparations for the new Minor Counties season were boosted with two T20 friendly victories over Oxford MCC University yesterday.

The county won a thrilling opening match by five wickets off the last ball, before then claiming a convincing 77-run triumph at Magdalen College School.

Captain Jonny Cater starred in the first match, claiming three stumpings and hitting 57 off 47 balls.

But Oxon still faced defeat, only for debutant Tom Price to hit a six off the final delivery to claim victory.

The students looked well placed after being put in, Harry Adair (69) and Reece Hussain (40) sharing an opening stand of 106.

But after Adair was dismissed, they lost four wickets for 34 runs, spinner Harvey Eltham (3-20) doing the damage as they set 141.

Richard Kaufman put on 42 as Oxon found themsleves 84-3 in reply.

Cater and Price’s 50-run partnership boosted their hopes, but they still needed six off the last ball to win, which the latter achieved.

The second match was a more one-sided affair.

Oxon elected to bat and posted 155-7.

Kaufman put on 45 with Tom Condon, but three quick wickets saw them slip to 70-4.

However, Chris Watling’s unbeaten 42 spearheaded their recovery.

The students were always struggling in reply.

Hussain fell to his first ball and despite Harry Adair and Jamie Gnodde offering hope with a partnership of 53, they then collapsed.

The students lost nine wickets for 16 runs and fell to defeat in the 14th over.