OXFORDSHIRE’S spinners proved the difference as they claimed a thrilling five-run victory over Devon to record their first Western Division triumph of the season.

All appeared to be lost for Oxon with the visitors on 229-5 and needing just 16 runs to win on another hot afternoon at Banbury in the Unicorns Counties Championship.

But off-spinners Harrison Ward (3-15) and Richard Kaufman (2-20) took centre stage, dismissing the remaining five batsmen, as Devon suffered a horrible collapse.

The visitors lost their last five wickets for just ten runs as Oxfordshire claimed a nail-biting victory.

The home side had a first three-day success of the campaign in their sights when the visitors resumed their second innings on 24-3, needing another 221 runs to win.

Devon dug deep with Matt Golding (68) and captain Josh Bess (71) putting on 123 for the fourth wicket to make for an interesting final day.

Both were eventually dismissed to leave Devon on 175-5, before Zac Bess (47) and Tom Lammonby made Oxon sweat.

Their sixth-wicket partnership of 54 led the visitors to within 16 runs of victory.

But up stepped the home side’s spinners.

Horspath teenager Ward had Zac Bess caught behind by captain Jonny Cater, who took six catches in the innings, and Lammonby quickly followed him back to the pavilion.

The batsman hooked the ball off Kaufman and Harvey Eltham, fielding at short backward square leg, pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch while retreating towards the boundary.

Devon suddenly found themselves 229-7 and the stage was set for a thrilling finale at Whitepost Road.

Max Curtis followed just five runs later, as Cater took another catch, and Jamie Stephens fell to leave Oxon on the brink of victory with the visitors 235-9.

Devon needed ten runs to win, but youngster Ward delivered the goods once more.

George Benton edged to Lloyd Sabin in the slips to spark jubilant celebrations.