OXFORDSHIRE crashed to a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat at home to Berkshire yesterday.

Jonny Cater’s side scored just 146 after winning the toss in the Unicorns Counties Trophy Group 1 clash at Bicester & North Oxford, before their rivals eased to 148-3 in the 33rd over.

They got off to a poor start when debutant Matthew Machan was trapped lbw by Oli Wilkin with the score on 12.

Harry Smith soon followed, bowled by Wilkin for one, before without adding a further run Lloyd Sabin was caught by Dan Lincoln at deep square leg off Tom Nugent.

That left Oxon deep in trouble on 23-3 and further wickets fell at regular intervals as Berkshire’s spinners took centre stage, tying down the hosts’ middle order.

At 93-7 things were bleak, but Luke Ryan (30) and Will Eason at least dug in to put on 37 for the eighth wicket, the highest partnership of the innings.

But when Olly Wright was bowled by Nugent, the innings came to an end in the 49th over.

Oxon needed early wickets and were given a lift when Richard West had Oli Wilkin caught at slip by Sabin and Euan Woods at mid-on by Ryan.

However, opener Jack Davies (47no) and No 4 Richard Morris (66) put on 102 to take their side to the brink.

Although Morris was caught by Cater off Leo Bethell, it merely delayed the inevitable.