ECB Women’s Under 17 County Championship Performance Group 2

OXFORDSHIRE suffered two heavy defeats in the space of three days, going down to Sussex and then Essex.

On Thursday, Oxon were beaten by nine wickets by Sussex at Charlbury.

Only opener Suzy Halsey got going with 46 as Oxfordshire were restricted to 136-9 in their 45 overs.

Captain Paige Scholfield took 3-12 before Sussex eased to 139-1 with more than 20 overs to spare.

Isabelle Collis led the way with 90 not out from 65 balls.

A young Oxfordshire side lost to Essex by 82 runs at a windy Southend on Sunday.

Oxon, with two under 13s in their XI, fielded just one player over 16 and struggled to cope as Essex clocked up 187-7 before bowling the visitors out for 105.

After winning the toss, Oxon inserted Essex, but it was the hosts who started strongest, going into the drinks break at 105-2.

Oxon struck back by taking three wickets for 11 runs as Essex finished the innings with 187-7.

But the visitors’ reply couldn’t have started any worse, losing opener Halsey in the first over, which proved to be the first of a string of early wickets to fall.

Captain Carla Wood offered some resistance with a knock of 38 after the visitors had slipped to 49-4.

But when she was caught at backward point to make it 95-6, Oxon crumbled and finished with a disappointing 105 all out.