OXFORDSHIRE were frustrated by Cameron Herring, but still ended the first day of their clash in Wales on top.

The visitors were 111-3 at the close, after bowling their hosts out for 260.

Oxon, who had won the toss, inserted the hosts in the Western Division match in Usk.

And they were soon in control thanks largely to a terrific spell from Joe Butcher.

The Abingdon Vale seamer, who finished with fine figures of 3-25 from 15 overs, took two of the opening five wickets to fall as Wales were reduced to 57-5.

Gareth Andrew claimed the first, with Russell White taking the others.

Wales dug in, however, and recovered to 107-5 before Butcher claimed his third victim.

Herring then took centre stage and, although two more wickets for Andrew (3-44) saw the home side in trouble at 164-8, their wicket-keeper stood firm.

Herring went on to make 102 before he became the first of two victims for George Sandbach on his three-day debut.

Oxfordshire made a poor start with Harry Smith falling in the first over and Jordan Garrett’s departure leaving them 27-2.

Sandbach also fell cheaply, but an unbroken half-century stand between Richard Kaufman (43no) and Jonny Cater (20no) took them to 111-3.