Banbury's South African born all-rounder Craig Haupt starred for Oxfordshire who lost their 45-overs friendly with Oxford University by 14 runs in The Parks on Saturday.

Haupt, the likely replacement for the unavailable Graham Savin in this year's Minor Counties Championship, claimed three wickets for 49 off nine overs and struck 61 out of Oxfordshire's 232-8.

Stewart Laudat and Phil Evans, the son of former county captain Rupert, each claimed an early wicket after the University won the toss and chose to bat.

But a third-wicket stand of 115 by John Claughton and Byron Byrne, and an unbeaten 48 by James Redmayne, took the Dark Blues to 246-6. Oxfordshire's reply was built on a third-wicket partnership of 87 by Haupt, whose innings contained eight boundaries, and Rob Williams.

Later, Adam Cook and Ben France kept them in the hunt with a stand of 61 for the eighth wicket, but the required scoring rate was just beyond their reach.

***OXFORDSHIRE'S scheduled game against Northants 2nd at Thame yesterday, was cancelled due to a waterlogged ground.

***OXFORD University crashed by ten wickets against Buckinghamshire in the Parks yesterday.

Acting skipper Alan Gofton made 93 as the Dark Blues totalled 218-4 and then watched as his side's depleted attack was hammered to all parts as Bucks knocked off the runs with nearly 20 overs to spare.