A Bicester schoolboy seized an opportunity to impress for Oxfordshire with both hands after taking two catches while on as a substitute in the Minor Counties Championship against Dorset.

Ryan Moore (pictured) was given the chance to accumulate some valuable experience after Ian Crosby was delayed for the Western Division clash, missing the start of the second day’s play at Great & Little Tew.

And the 15-year-old, who has just finished his GCSEs at Bicester Community College, passed his Minor Counties test with flying colours – by taking two catches.

Moore, who plays for Oxfordshire Under 16s and Bicester & North Oxford CC, was delighted to play his part.

He said: “I turned up just expecting to be the 12th man, but I was in from the start.

“It was nerve-racking and I didn’t want to let the team down – the first catch was quite flat, so it was more instinct than anything, but the second was lobbed up and that’s when thoughts start running through your head.

“The captain (Richard Kaufman) came over to ask how my heart was and it was beating quite hard.”

He added: “It’s encouraged me – it’s the highest standard I’ve played.

“In a couple of years I’d like to be playing for them.”