Luke Ryan believes Oxfordshire’s start to their MCCA Trophy campaign bodes well for the rest of the summer.

Oxon have beaten Devon and Bedfordshire by one wicket in their opening Group 1 matches without managing to play consistently well.

And Ryan, who took over as captain this season, feels there is a lot more to come from his side.

“We have won both games when we have not been at our best,” he said.

“That is quite a good position to be in going into the last two group games.

“We bowled very well at Devon and should have chased their total easily, but lost wickets in the middle.

“We should have beaten Bedfordshire more comfortably.

“But winning when you are at 70 per cent is not a bad thing.”

Ryan added: “We have now got Hertfordshire at Radlett (May 19) and Cornwall at Challow (May 26) to play.

“Hopefully, we can bring our performance up to 80-85 per cent. Usually if you get three wins, you qualify for the knockout stages.”

Although Oxfordshire managed to edge past Bedfordshire’s 262-6, it made for some nervy watching before last man Ryan won the match with two balls to spare.

“We were 100 short at one wicket down and going great guns,” said Ryan.

“Batting at No 11, I was hoping I wouldn’t be needed.

“I am not sure I have ever batted there. It was a very strong batting line-up.”

Although Oxon were guilty of some poor shots, Ryan said the pitch had not been easy to bat on.

“It was a funny wicket, it was a difficult one to get in on,” he said. “Lloyd Sabin and Richard Kaufman kept us well above the required rate.

“But it was hard for new guys going in to run the ball around and hit the gaps.

“You just want the lads to stick in there, but it is a different matter when you are under pressure in the middle.”

Ryan added: “Daniel Rowe’s boundary off the last ball of the penultimate over was a big game-changer.

“It meant we only needed three off the final over and made Andy Reynoldson bowl differently.”

Ryan also paid tribute to Richard West, who has been a part-time spinner for Oxfordshire, but took 1-39 from his ten overs.

“He proved a real plus with his bowling and for him and Richard Kaufman to get throu-gh ten overs each was great.”