Excellent seam bowling set up Oxford for a tense three-wicket victory at home to Tring Park in their first full game back in the top flight.

After being abandoned after five overs last week, Oxford soon got on top after Tring chose to bat.

Fine opening spells from Stuart Hole and New Zealander Mark Beer (3-39) made the inroads.

Then an excellent burst from seamer Brad Sutherland, who finished with 4-34, put Tring in real trouble at 74-6.

Economical spells from spinners Francois Vainker and Shamilal Mendis, who went for just 21 and 25 runs respectively off their their allotted ten overs, kept the pressure on the visitors.

A patient 51 from Jack Deal saw them to recover to 177-8.

A second-wicket stand between Vainker, who hit 39 at a run a ball, and Vishane Perera put Oxford in command.

Former Middlesex and Somerset spinner Keith Dutch (3-15) sparked a collapse which reduced Oxford to 88-5 and then 126-7 and leave the game finely in the balance.

Hole remained unflustered and, ably supported by Beer, stroked an unbeaten 34 to see Oxford home with 18 balls to spare.

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