Richard Kaufman played the decisive innings as Oxfordshire edged to a 19-run victory over Oxford University under the Duckworth-Lewis Method.

Kaufman hit ten fours and one six in his 68 off 51 balls in an opening stand of 102 with Chris Sandbach.

That partnership looked to have put Oxon well on top in The Parks, but they only had four wickets intact when they got over the finish line.

When Sandbach fell on 40, a mini-collapse ensued as three wickets fell for three runs.

And it was never plain sailing after that in cold and blustery conditions.

Left-arm spinner Dan Pascoe, who had top-scored for the students with 55, took three wickets in quick succession as Oxon wobbled.

Jaimie Noble, on his return to the side, made just seven, while David Smith was superbly caught and bowled by Pascoe for a duck.

But, replying to the university’s below par 50-over total of 208-6, they never fell behind the revised target of 186 in 41 overs.

The experienced Rob Will-iams kept calm to make an unbeaten 24.

Ian Crosby and Daniel Rowe fell late on, but the students ran out of runs as Luke Ryan hit a four off his first ball to seal victory.

It could have been a lot more comfortable, but the students deserve credit for battling back.

Earlier, Oxford University won the toss and elected to bat.

Rowe continued where he left off the previous day against Hertfordshire, claiming an early breakthrough as Nick Meadows was caught behind.

Rowe’s seven overs cost just 11 runs, but debutant Zia Hamid was more expensive at the other end.

Robin Thompson (36) and Avinash Sharma (45) put on 71 for the second wicket before the latter became spinner Ryan’s first victim.

Raj Sharma, the students’ captain and Oxford all-rounder, fell soon afterwards.

But a 93-run sixth-wicket stand between Pascoe and Tom Bryan (38) took them past 200.

Ryan and Kaufman grabbed two wickets apiece, while Banbury’s Jimmy Phillips took 1-26 from his ten overs.

Rain halted Oxfordshire’s reply after five overs, which left them with their revised target.