Harrison Ward became the youngest Oxfordshire player to score a Unicorns Counties Championship century in their convincing 133-run victory over Herefordshire at Brockhampton yesterday.

The Horspath opener made 109 not out on his debut as Oxon romped to their third successive Western Division win.

Aged 15 years and 269 days, the tall left-hander is nearly two years younger than the previous record-holder.

That was another Horspath player, Ben Thompson, who was 17 years and 250 days when he scored 111, also against Herefordshire at Aston Rowant in 1998.

Ward resumed the third day of the match on 77 not out with Oxon on 184-2 in their second innings, a commanding lead of 276.

He and partner Richard Kaufman wasted little time in adding 77 in 11 overs before the declaration at 261-2.

Ward, who was dropped off a skier when on 90, reached his landmark off 208 balls with two runs to third man.

In all, he faced 217 balls and hit ten fours, sharing an unbroken second-wicket stand of 101 with Kaufman, whose unbeaten 55 came off only 44 balls with nine boundaries.

Of his achievement, the teenager said: “It was brilliant. I can’t really explain it. It was a great feeling. Everyone was up in their seats clapping.”

Set 354 to win in 96 overs, Herefordshire made a poor start when opener Matt Pardoe was caught behind by Jonny Cater off Karl Penhale for three.

Penhale dismissed Alex Phillips in similar fashion for 32, but with Liam Gwynne going well, the hosts were well-placed to launch a challenge at 100-2.

But then Gwynne attacked off-spinner Harvey Eltham once too often and was bowled for 51, which came off 48 balls.

With Eltham and skipper Luke Ryan claiming another wicket each, Herefordshire were in trouble on 144-5 at lunch.

The home side resisted briefly afterwards, but once Chad Keegan had dismissed skipper David Exall, spinners Ryan and Eltham mopped up the tail, the last five wickets falling for 25 runs as they were all out for 220.

Ryan finished with 4-51 as his side won with more than 40 overs to spare.

To complete Ward’s day, his father Dave, who was watching the game, came on to field for Oxfordshire after Kaufman broke a finger while attempting to take a catch at slip early in the innings.

Oxon are now second in the table, three points behind leaders Cornwall.