Oxfordshire's former Middlesex all-rounder Jamie Hewitt had one of those days he would prefer to forget yesterday.

On the first day of the county's Western Division match against Herefordshire at Luctonians CC, near Leominster, Hewitt made a duck, before his two overs went for 38 runs!

He was the victim of an amazing blitz by former Glamorgan batsman Ian Thomas, who went after him after Oxon had made 254 in their first innings.

The Herefordshire opener smashed 54 off just 32 balls, with 11 fours, before the carnage ended when he was stumped by Ian Hawtin off Jimmy Phillips.

The home county reached 220-4 by the close thanks to an unbeaten 74 from Henry Langford, who was dropped before he had got off the mark.

Young Banbury left-arm spinner Luke Ryan was the star of the show for Oxon's bowlers, taking 2-52 from 13 accurate overs.

Earlier in the day, Oxon had chosen to bat after winning the toss, and were going well after the early loss of Simon Hole, who was run out for 13 one of three visiting batsmen to fall to direct hits.

Chris Smith, who top-scored with a patient 56, including nine fours, and Ian Tew had taken the score along to 112, whereupon four wickets fell in 11 balls without addition to the total!

Paddy Stern, like Ryan, making his county debut, held out bravely to make 23, but the main damage repair job was done by skipper Hawtin (pictured), who was out just short of a half-century.

A spirited 24 from Ryan helped Oxon to respect- ability.