Oxford University had the better of day one of the Varsity Match at Fenner’s, despite a Cambridge fightback.
The Dark Blues were well on top at tea in the four-day clash, having restricted Cambridge to 188-7.
But an undefeated half-century from Matt Hickey helped the hosts to 252-8 at stumps.
Cambridge won the toss and elected to bat, but soon lost skipper Richard Timms for four to his opposite number Raj Sharma.
Sharma struck again to remove Philip Hughes.
Anand Ashok and Paul Best provided some resistance for the Light Blues, before both fell to Dan Pascoe.
Spinner Sam Agarwal then dismissed Francis Brown and Tom Deasey in successive deliveries, both caught by Ben Jeffery.
Philip Ashton and Hickey led a recovery before the former was trapped lbw to become Sharma’s third victim, giving him figures of 3-43, Agarwal and Pascoe finished with two wickets apiece.
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