OXFORDSHIRE have named two newcomers in their team to face Kent in their Middleton Cup opener at Oxford City & County on Saturday.

West Witney’s Paul Skidmore and Ade Kemish, of Watlington, are included in the 24-strong side that contains ten players from Headington.

Ian Snowdon returns after a spell with Berkshire, while Nathan Lewis, Will Campion and Lee Young are also back.

Oxon will hoping to maintain their good early-season form which has seen them defeat Gloucestershire and Northants in their two warm-up matches.

OXFORDSHIRE TEAM

Rink 1: J Bland (Shiplake Village), P Mabbutt (Headington), N Lewis (Headington), P Sharman (Carterton).

Rink 2: M Nash, P Comley, I Henwood, N Rae-Welsh (all Headington).

Rink 3: K Holloway (Banbury Borough), W Campion (Banbury Central), S Cooper (Watlington), M Sykes (Banbury Borough).

Rink 4: S Watts (Watlington), P Skidmore (West Witney), J King (Headington), M Charlett (Headington).

Rink 5: L Young (Banbury Central), K Alder (West Witney), R Gaskins (Headington), B Sparkes (Carterton).

Rink 6: A Kemish (Watlington), D Leighfield (West Witney), AJ Docherty (Banbury Borough), I Snowdon (Headington).

Reserves: A Carter (Banbury Central), A Twinn (Watlington), A McIntyre (West Witney), B Squires (West Witney).

l OXFORDSHIRE recorded a resounding 132-98 victory over Berkshire in their opening Home Counties League match at South Oxford.

The hosts, managed for the first time by Kevin Alder, never looked back after a superb start which put them 23 shots clear after five ends.

In fact, Alder’s rink were the only one to lose as Oxon exactly reversed last season’s result

Colts badges were awarded to West Witney’s Alistair Hayes and Shiplake’s Matt Shepherd.

Oxon132 (20pts), Berks 98 (2)

(Oxon rink scores)

B May, J Justin, C Cox & J King won 23-18. S Watts A Twinn, I Henwood & M Charlett won 32-8. S Witcombe, M Shepherd, S Aldren & P Sharman won 22-14. A Kemish, B Bloomfield, P Skidmore & S Cooper won 25-17. B Squires, A Ley, L Young & D Leighfield won 18-14. O Bennett, A Hayes, R Clanfield & K Alder lost 27-12.