OXFORDSHIRE lost their grip on the Nurton/York Trophy as their first competitive fixture of the summer ended in defeat at Buckinghamshire.

An unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 88 saw the hosts home at High Wycombe CC, Daniel Ogden starring with 57*.

It meant Oxon handed over the cup, having triumphed in the 50-over fixture and both 20-over T20 games in last year’s inaugural competition.

Buckinghamshire chose to field and they struck early, Harry Smith trapped lbw by Thomas Hampton for three.

Fellow opener Tom Cosford hit a quickfire 41 off 22 balls before he was bowled by Cameron Parsons, with Tom Haynes (13) and Harrison Ward (seven) also falling to leave Oxon 77-4.

Freddie Smith and captain Jonny Cater struck up a partnership before the former was bowled by Conner Haddow and Oli Clarke, the next man in, departed for just four.

Oxon were 121-6 in the 32nd over and George Tait joined Cater in keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

But the skipper was eventually caught and bowled by Alexander Woodland for 41 to leave the visitors 162-7, while George Tait was later dismissed for 30 to leave the visitors 186 all out.

Robbie Shurmer removed openers Eliot Callis and Woodland for 15 and six respectively to raise Oxon hopes early in the Bucks innings.

Conrad Louth and Alexei Kervezee kept chipping away, before the former was caught by Tait off Shurmer and the latter trapped lbw by Joe Thomas.

The hosts were 100-4 with just under half their overs left, only for Ogden and Adam King (35) to take the game away from Oxon.