OXFORDSHIRE suffered their third successive defeat in four Unicorns Counties Trophy matches when they lost by five wickets to Devon at Sidmouth.

A one-day campaign that started with an exciting victory over Cornwall, ended with them finishing well down the Group 1 table.

Jonny Cater’s side, who were put in to bat, just did not score enough runs, being bowled out for 185. The hosts got home with more than seven overs to spare.

Oxon looked to be heading for more than 200, when they stood at 114-3 in the 33rd over, following a fluent 39 from Lloyd Sabin.

But both Richard Kaufman and Cater, who were going well, both fell at that total.

Luke Ryan provided a final flourish with 20 off 13 balls before being run out, when trying to take advantage of a misfield.

It needed a ninth-wicket partnership of 31 in six overs between Leo Bethell and Joe Thomas to take Oxon to 185.

In reply, Devon openers Rob Woodman and Liam Lewis put on 64, before Ollie Wright took two wickets in two balls.

But any thoughts of an Oxon win were dashed by Lewis who went on to score an unbeaten 75,

Ryan took two wickets in a tidy spell but the hosts got home in the 43rd over, completing victory with a six from Matt Golding.