Oxfordshire Academy’s first official match away to Sussex ended in a six-wicket defeat at Blackstone, near Hove.

Skipper Richard Cook won the toss and elected to bat, but Oxon were reduced to 29-2.

Vishane Perera and Shabbaz Alam then shared an 86-run stand for the third wicket.

Alam holed out in the deep, and Curtly Slatter went first ball after he left a delivery.

Oxon lost their last eight wickets for 53 runs, with only Jasper Davies and Adam Muttitt managing double figures.

Ollie Graham was the pick of the Sussex bowlers with 4-25.

Sussex’s reply was built around a solid 74 not out from opener Beck Hemingway.

However, it might have been different for Oxon had an apparent caught behind been given when he was on 20.

But Hemingway survived that appeal to carry his bat through the innings, leading the home side to 170-4 and a comfortable victory.

But the hosts had to be patient with Will Rooney taking 1-19 and Karl Penhale 2-26.

Scores: Oxon Academy 168 (48.1 ovs, S Alam 50, V Perera 48), Sussex Academy 170-4 (42.3 ovs, B Hemingway 74no).