Oxfordshire Under 17s produced a superb fightback to beat Gloucestershire by five wickets in a thrilling two-day friendly at Poulton.

Set a total of 268 for victory in just 45 overs, Oxon’s batsmen produced a terrific display to get home with two overs to go.

Gloucestershire chose to bat first, but could manage only 179 all out, with opener Lisle Durrans carrying his bat for an impressive 80 not out.

Joe Harris was the pick of the Oxfordshire bowlers, claiming 4-45 off 21 tight overs.

However, in reply Oxon never got to grips with the pitch, or the bowling of Adam Jeffries and Adil Khan.

Jeffries took 4-16 off 7.2 overs on his debut, while off-spinner Khan claimed 4-32.

Oxon were shot out for 130 in the 41st over.

Looking to build on their 49-run lead, Gloucestershire suffered an early blow when they lost their first wicket without a run on the board.

With the score on 112-5, Oxon looked to have a good chance, but an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 108 with No 8 Mark Robbins smashing a quickfire 77 not out, enabled them to declare on 218-6.

Oxon’s chase started badly, with Joe Todd dismissed with the score on just 13.

However, Nigel Hume (74) and Harry Smith (67) put on 131 for the second wicket in just 18 overs.

Hume's knock came off just 60 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, while Smith's 67 was off 64 balls, and contained 11 fours and a six.

When they both fell in quick succession, captain Ed Gross steadied the ship with 33 and, with George Rendell, got Oxon to within 50 runs.

Alex Kill then smashed 44 not out in 28 balls to seal a memorable victory.