Oxford got the defence of their title off to a perfect start with a 69-run victory against last season's runners-up Slough at Romanway on Saturday in the Home Counties Premier League Division 1.

A cracking all-round team display, highlighted by a brilliant run out from Jack Brooks, secured Oxford's success with 13 balls to spare over the side they pipped for the title on countback.

Put in to bat, Oxford were reeling at 65-4 before New Zealander Rajiv Sharma and Ian Crosby saw them safely through to lunch without further loss.

After the interval, Sharma was dismissed for 37, and Crosby was joined by the returning Patrick Jobson, who missed last season through a golfing injury.

The pair put on 90 runs for the sixth wicket, with Crosby being dismissed eventually for an aggressive 76, which came off only 86 balls Jobson remained unbeaten on 41 as Oxford posted a challenging 224-9 off their 66 overs.

In reply, both Brooks and Philip Evans picked up early wickets.

Slough's captain Bobby Sher played a resilient innings until he was brilliantly run out by Brooks.

This proved to be the turning point, and Sharma, Brooks and Rupert Evans cleaned up the tail to give Oxford victory with 13 balls to spare.

All-rounder Sharma completed a fine debut, taking 3-21.