OXFORDSHIRE face a huge task to avoid defeat in their final Western Division match of the season.

After opponents Cheshire amassed 338 all out at Thame yesterday, the hosts saw their top order blown away as they slumped to 21-3 in reply.

Oxfordshire ended the day on 49-4 but have a mountain to climb if they are to turn the game around.

Ironically, they started the day very well.

Gareth Andrew and Russell White grabbed an early wicket apiece as Cheshire fell to 11-2.

At 55-3 Oxon were still on top, but had no answer to a superb 210-run fourth-wicket partnership between Robert Sehmi and Sam Perry.

Both went on to hit centuries, Sehmi’s 145 coming off 172 balls, while Perry’s 103 was from 186 deliveries.

Oxfordshire did have some joy with the ball late on as their visitors chased runs, Harvery Eltham the main beneficiary.

The spinner ended with 5-121 from 32.4 overs, including the final wicket to fall, Simon Normanton, who was stumped by Jonny Cater.

However, the hosts struggled in reply.

Harry Smith was the first Oxon batsman to fall, bowled by Michael Finan for two.

Freddie Smith followed almost immediately, bowled by Ben Gibbon for a duck.

And Olliver Ebsworth-Burland also fell without scoring when he was caught by Callum Rowe off Finan.

George Sandbach was trapped leg before by Rick Moore, leaving Cater and White to see off the remaining overs as Oxon ended the day on 49-4, some 289 runs adrift.