OXFORDSHIRE continued their rich vein of form to dominate the first day of their match against Herefordshire at Brockhampton.

After victories in their last two Western Division contests, the visitors batted confidently to score 302 all out after choosing to make use of a flat pitch.

At the close, the hosts were 106-3 in reply from 29 overs.

Oxon were given a flying start by openers Harry Smith and Tom Condon, who put on 108.

Condon made a fluent 48 from 62 balls with eight fours, before coming the first of three batsmen caught in front of the wicket by Jamie McIlroy off the bowling off Matt Pardoe.

Smith went in similar fashion for 74, scored from 94 balls with 15 fours.

The quick departure of Olly Clarke and Richard Kaufman left Oxon in danger of wasting a good start at 148-4.

But Gareth Andrew shored up the latter half of the innings with an assured 66 from 122 balls, which included a six and eight fours.

Good support from Matt Warner helped Oxon reach 302 all out in the 84th over.

That left time for Oxon’s bowlers to make inroads into the hosts’ batting.

Debutant Ollie Price dismissed Pardoe with his eighth ball in Minor Counties cricket, before having Tom Cummins also caught behind.

Andrew bowled Alex Thomas to leave them struggling at 49-3.

By the close they had moved to 106-3 to make up some ground on the visitors, thanks to an unbeaten 40 from David Ball.