OXFORDSHIRE tasted victory and defeat in their T20 double-header friendly against Sussex Academy yesterday.

Jonny Cater’s side lost their opening game at Blackstone by four wickets.

But they bounced back well with a six-wicket victory in the second.

Having been asked to bat, Oxon struggled in the morning, Will Sutcliffe the only batsman to make more than 11, his 26 helping the visitors to a meagre 91 all out in 18.4 overs.

Despite having the hosts at 14-3 in reply – one of the victims being former Oxfordshire batsman Harrison Ward – an unbroken fourth-wicket stand saw Sussex ease to 92-3 off 14.1 overs.

The second match saw Oxon chase down 187-4 to record a morale-boosting success.

All the Sussex batsmen made decent scores as the home side set a competitive total.

But opener Sutcliffe, on his Oxfordshire debut, again came to the fore.

He hit 56 off 30 balls to help the visitors reach 191-4, skipper Cater top-scoring with an undefeated 60 off just 35 deliveries.

George Sandbach also chipped in with a valuable 35 not out as Oxfordshire got home off the penultimate ball.