OXFORDSHIRE started their Unicorns Counties Trophy campaign with a thrilling one-run victory over Cornwall at Banbury.

The visitors needed six off the last ball to take the Group 1 contest, but could only manage four as the home side squeezed home.

Oxon posted 248-4 after electing to bat, despite seeing Richard Kaufman caught at mid-on off the very first ball.

However, Banbury duo Lloyd Sabin, whose 98 included six fours and three sixes, and Ollie Clarke (45) more than steadied the ship, putting on 136 before the latter was dismissed.

Sabin was next to go when he was caught and bowled after adding 43 with captain Jonny Cater (52no).

Jamie Perkin was cheaply run out in the 41st over, but Cater and Richard West, who scored a quick-fire 32 off 28 balls, put on 65 to help the hosts post 248 from their 50 overs.

Oxon made a perfect start with the ball, left-arm paceman Leo Bethell trapping Matt Robins leg before with his fourth delivery of the opening over.

But Cornwall rebuilt their innings with a second-wicket partnership of 153 between Matthew (61) and Tom Rowe (82).

However, they quickly slipped to 170-4, before a fifth-wicket partnership of 48 between Dan Lello and Conor Miles gave them a fighting chance.

But just as Oxon needed wickets they got them as Miles, James Turpin and Lello fell within ten balls of each other to leave Cornwall 227-7, needing 22 off 11 deliveries.

Sturgess and Scott Harvey did their utmost to land victory, but Oxon held on for the win.