Oxfordshire fought back against Berkshire in their opening Minor Counties Championship Western Division match at Henley as 28 wickets fell on a dramatic second day.

With the first day washed out and conditions at the Brakspear Ground always likely to favour seam bowlers, new Oxon skipper Richard Kaufman was desperate to win the toss yesterday.

But when he called incorrectly, Oxon were inserted and skittled for 105.

Despite this, they hit back to knock Berkshire over for 115 with Chad Keegan taking 5-30.

Oxon then made 163-8 in their second innings with Simon Hole hitting an excellent 74 as the visitors ended the day with a 153-run lead with two wickets remaining.

Oxfordshire’s first innings lasted just 34.2 overs.

Lloyd Sabin was the first of five victims for Berkshire skipper Bjorn Mordt when he was caught at third slip.

Kaufman perished off former Oxfordshire Under 17 seamer Tom Nugent for what turned out to be the top score of 28, making it 36-2.

It was then a procession as Oxon were unable to compete against the swinging ball.

Hole, Perkin and Keegan struggled to make any headway, while Richard West, David Smith, Francois Vainker – a late call-up for Alex Jewell – and Matt Taylor all fell without scoring.

Ashley Blanchard ensured Oxon passed the 100-mark.

But when he was trapped lbw by Mordt, who finished with 5-49, the visitors were all out for a meagre total.

However, Oxfordshire’s bowlers then shone.

Keegan started the revival by trapping David Barnes lbw, before Taylor won a similar decision against Daniel Housego, another former Oxon Youth player, before he’d got off the mark.

Blanchard removed James Morris, before David Smith bowled opener Michael Roberts for 51, which included eight fours.

Mordt, Stewart Davison, Mark Jones, Tom Andrews, ex-England off-spinner Shaun Udal and Gurveer Singh all offered little resistance as Keegan completed a five-wicket haul on his old club ground.

Oxon were guilty of poor shot selection in their second innings, with Sabin chasing a wide one and Kaufman chipping up to mid-on.

Perkin was stumped going for a big hit, while West was run out.

But Hole, on his recall to the side, stood firm to make his fourth Championship half-century.

His 74 came off 60 balls and included eight fours and three sixes, before he was stumped off Singh to leave Oxfordshire 111-5.

Keegan, Vainker and Blanchard all went cheaply, before Smith and Taylor saw Oxon to the close.

Scores: Oxfordshire 105 (B Mordt 5-49) & 163-8 (S Hole 74), Berkshire 115 (M Roberts 51, C Keegan 5-30).