A YOUTHFUL Oxfordshire Academy produced an excellent performance to defeat Buckinghamshire by two wickets.

Oxon dismissed the hosts for 252 on day one at Farnham Royal, before reaching 253-8 on the second to secure victory.

After being inserted, Bucks struggled to get out of the starting blocks.

And by lunchtime they were in trouble at 69-6 as Butcher, Adam Spears and Jack Wilkins made inroads into their hosts’ batting line-up.

However, after lunch Bucks were rejuvenated and captain George Russell shared an impressive 114-run stand with Matthew Rance.

Russell made 100 before being bowled by Max Mannering, while Rance chipped in with 49.

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They were eventually dismissed for 252, Spears the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-31.

Oxfordshire’s reply started poorly as debutant Callum Russell was trapped lbw for one.

Joe Butcher fell in the final over of the day at 66-3.

But on the second day, Oxfordshire set about the Bucks attack with Great & Little Tew batsman Harry Smith leading from the front.

Smith hit 96 and Jack Wilkins 44, while stand-in skipper Ashley Hubbert and Jason Cardy carried their bats for 22 and 29 respectively to lead Oxon over the winning line at 253-8.