Jamie Perkin hit his maiden Minor Counties Championship century as Oxfordshire recovered from a precarious position on the first day of their Western Division clash with Dorset in Bournemouth.

Having won the toss and deciding to bat first, Oxfordshire were in huge disarray at 23-4 against the reigning Minor Counties champions.

But Perkin and debutant Jonny Cater steadied the ship, before going on the attack to lead Oxfordshire to a useful total with a record fifth-wicket stand of 215.

Batting cautiously early on in their innings, the pair accelerated steadily throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon sessions, scoring freely to all parts of the ground.

The stand eclipsed the previous fifth-wicket partnership record of 210, set by Rob Williams and Charlie Knightley in against Wales in 2003 at Banbury.

Batting once again with maturity beyond his years, Perkin hit 12 fours and a six in his 260-ball innings.

Cater fell agonisingly short of what would have been a deserved century just before tea.

His 98 included 13 fours in 167 deliveries, before he was caught behind.

When Perkin fell the same way shortly after tea, Chad Keegan, Daniel Rowe and Ashley Blanchard all chipped in with useful runs as Oxfordshire secured maximum batting points to finish on 329-8 from their 90 overs.

Seamer James Hayman finished with 3-42 for Dorset.

Dorset closed on 23 without loss after ten overs.