OXFORDSHIRE Over 60s bright start to their ECB Championship campaign was ended when they suffered a seven-wicket defeat by Bucks at Abingdon.

Despite a gritty 62 from Derek Watts, Oxon managed only 103, and Bucks passed that total for the loss of three wickets in the 35th over.

Oxon began their West Midlands Group season against Warwickshire at Horspath where rain denied them almost certain victory.

Trevor Spindler’s 3-11 in nine overs restricted the visitors to 140-8 in 40 overs.

Oxon’s openers Paul Tew (30no) and Watts (29no) had put on 81 in 23.1 overs before the rain came.

But there was no denying them victory over Northants at Overstone.

After Ady Manger (4-31) and Spindler (3-12) had restricted the hosts to 163-7, Ian Caunce sped Oxon to victory in the 40th over with an unbeaten 95.

l OXFORDSHIRE Under 17s found themselves outplayed by St Edward’s School, who won by 88 runs in a friendly.

Teddies posted 216-6 in their 50 overs, Tom Brine taking 3-39.

In reply, Oxon slumped to 9-3. Resistance came from Alexander Ferreira (30) and Archie Spittles (31no) but they were all out for 128.

Meanwhile, Oxon Under 14s lost by just four runs to Northants in a thrilling contest at Magdalen College School.

James Sales top-scored with 62 as the visitors were dismissed for 211.

Oxon faltered after an opening stand of 54 between Freddie Smith (32) and James Coles (37).

Dee Jarvis (27), Thomas Lydford-Brace (38) and Henry Pretorius (32) looked certain to win it for the home side, but they were bowled out for 207.

In a friendly, Oxon Under 14s defeat St Edward’s School by 49 rums.

Alfie Turner (40), Jarvis (40) and Anton Eisner (30) helped the county make 222-9 from their 40 overs.

Despite 48 from Ben Charlesworth, Teddies managed only 173-5 in reply.

Oxfordshire Bulls – a combined under 11 side from state schools – lost by six wickets to the Dragon School in the last over.

The Bulls posted 160-7 from ther 30 overs, Jake Mackay (51no) taking 14 from the final over to complete his half-century.

Needing 87 from their last ten overs, the Dragon got home with four balls to spare.

l OXON Girls Under 14s won by five runs against Northants at Watlington thanks to a spell of 4-9 in 2.4 overs by Honor Murray.

Northants were bowled out for 109, after Emma Benson (36no) had helped Oxon reach 114.

SCHOOLS RESULTS

ESCA UNDER 15 20TWENTY VASE

St Birinus School 194-3 (D Hall 50 ret, L Higgins 50, K Durrant 33no), Oxford Spires Academy 89 (J Barrett 6-17).

UNDER 14 ECB TROPHY

Oxford Spires 65-8, Cokethorpe 68-2.

St Gregory 23 (E Hyman 4-8, R Mitchell 3-1, H Wooding 3-1), Abingdon 25-0.

OXFORDSHIRE UNDER 14 LEAGUE

St Gregory the Great 37, Icknield 38-3.

OXFORDSHIRE UNDER 13 LEAGUE

Oxford Spires 94-6, Wheatley Park 96-1.

Matthew Arnold 43 (S Piotrowsky 3-9), Burford 45-5 (S Rahim 4-7).

UNDER 12 BUNBURY CUP

Wheatley Park 152-4 (C Turner 54, L Yendole 40no), King Alfred’s 65-8.

Gosford Hill 60 (A Bednarik-Thomas 5-8), Oxford Spires 64-2 (A Baldock 25no).