BICESTER & North Oxford suffered a alarming batting collapse as they lost 53 runs at home to Twyford in their first pre-season friendly.

The hosts, who have promotion ambitions in Cherwell League Division 3 this summer, seemed to be cantering at 69-0 in reply to Twyford’s total of 177-8.

But once, the opening stand between Adam Stapleford and Nick Moorman was broken, Bicester collapsed to a superb spell of bowling from Shabaz Alam.

They lost six wickets for six runs in seven overs, with Alam returning 6-13.

From 75-6, there was no way back, despite Phil Allen’s 27, and they were all out for 124.

Earlier, Liam Randall and Ryan Moore each took two wickets as Twyford built a useful total on a slow pitch.