OXFORDSHIRE made a superb start to their competitive season when they cruised to a six-wicket victory over Wiltshire in their group match at Westbury on Sunday.

Star of the show again was veteran seamer Keith Arnold with 2-17 in ten overs.

Choosing to bat first in cloudy conditions, Wiltshire cruised to 33 without alarm.

But once Jack Brooks had made the breakthrough by dismissing Oxon player Rob Cunliffe, Arnold kept a tight stranglehold.

With Banbury off-spinner Jimmy Phillips supporting well at the other end, Oxon reduced their opponents to 94-5 after 35 overs.

Thanks to James Golding's unbeaten 48, Wiltshire were able to score 100 from the last 15 overs to reach a respectable 194-7.

Seamer Phil Evans bowled a good spell, while the run chase was on, to finish with three wickets.

Oxon suffered an early blow in reply, when Stewart Laudat was run out after a mix-up with Keith Mustow which saw both batsmen at the same end.

Mustow did not let this incident affect him and hit 68 off 94 balls with 11 fours and two sixes to put his side on the road to victory.

Craig Haupt played well in support.

Then Rob Williams and professional Jamie Hewitt, who had earlier suffered some punishment with the ball, got his own back to see Oxon to an easy victory at the end of the 46th over.

WILTSHIRE R Cunliffe b Brooks16 E Abel c Haupt b P Evans42 M Coles lbw Arnold6 L Dawson lbw Arnold2 S Rizvi b Phillips9 J Golding not out48 J Hibberd b P Evans31 A Senneck c Mustow b P Evans7 R Bedbrook not out19 Extras14 Total (7 wkts, 50 ovs)194 Fall: 1-33, 2-48, 3-54, 4-80, 5-94, 6-149, 7-163.

Bowling: Hewitt 10-0-56-0, Brooks 10-3-34-1, Arnold 10-4-17-2, Phillips 10-3-32-1, P Evans 10-49-3.

OXFORDSHIRE S Laudat run out9 K Mustow lbw Bedbrook68 C Haupt c Davidge b Dawson34 A Cook lbw Hibberd13 R Williams not out26 J Hewitt not out33 Extras12 Total (4 wts, 46 ovs)195 Fall: 1-19, 2-90, 3-125, 4-129.

Bowling: Senneck 10-4-22-0, Bedbrook 9-1-41-1, Hibberd 10-1-36-1, Coles 4-0-32-0, Hayward 10-50-0, Dawson 3-0-11-1.