HARVEY Eltham became the latest teenager to inspire Oxfordshire to victory as they convincingly beat Cornwall by 266 runs in their Unicorns Counties Championship clash at Banbury.

The 17-year-old Oxford offspinner took 5-31 to claim eight wickets for the match – his best haul for Oxon’s senior side.

Seamer Karl Penhale chipped in with 3-50 as the visitors were skittled for 140 in 48 overs, helping the hosts leapfrog their opponents into top spot in the Western Division.

Oxon just need to beat Wiltshire at Devizes in two week’s time to reach the Championship final against the Eastern Division winners.

The hosts continued on their overnight score of 230-8.

However, three overs in, Will Eason was run out on 13 after attempting a second run.

Captain Luke Ryan wasted no time in hitting 33 off 50 balls after starting the day on 13, before Oxon declared on 294-9 after 80 overs, setting Cornwall an unlikely run chase of 407.

Chad Keegan took an early wicket as Matthew Rowe was caught by Jordan Garrett in the covers, before Matthew Robins edged to Jonny Cater off Penhale for 11-2.

After Brad Wadlan and Jake Libby put on 46 for the third wicket, the former became Eltham’s first victim, before he had Christian Purchase caught at slip by Lloyd Sabin.

The visitors then lost three wickets in the space of two overs, slumping to 91-6.

Eltham dismissed Scott Harvey and Paul Smith, before Anthony Angove lasted just three balls until he edged a Penhale delivery to Cater for a duck.

As the wickets tumbled, Libby slowly put runs on the board, carrying his bat for 49 off 110 balls, but when Penhale bowled Kelvin Snell to end their partnership of 32, the writing was on the wall.

Tim Wyatt became Eltham’s fifth victim in the 47th over and on the last ball of the next, Ryan bowled Neil Ivamy for a duck and the victory.