OXFORDSHIRE suffered defeat at Cumbria in their NCCA Trophy opener, losing by six wickets.

Jamie Harrison’s knock of 98 off 99 balls and Luke Hayes’ half-century saw Oxon recover from 39-3, before undefeated knocks of 24 by Prav Chahal and Darrel Williams saw the visitors close on 284-8 off 50 overs.

Oxon, who won the toss and elected to bat, made a poor start as Chris Wright claimed the wickets of Will Sutcliffe, Tom Powell and Jamie Perkin.

Hayes and Harrison rebuilt the innings, however Cumbria struck a crucial blow when Hayes saw his drive for six caught by Michael Slack.

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Cumbria then ripped through Oxon, with Harrison caught behind by Finlay Richardson.

Matthew Siddall claimed his second wicket, seeing off Harvey Jupp, while Jonny Cater’s 32 off 53 balls was ended by Freddie Fallows.

Farhaan Kahn departed to Slack after he was caught behind by Richardson, but Chahal and Williams both got undefeated scores of 24.

Oxon started the second innings well after Dutton picked out Powell, but Fallows’ knock of 95 off 51 balls saw Cumbria gain control. He guided his team onto 147, with Ben Walkden and Matthew Stables moving Cumbria ahead onto 193.

Oxon saw off Marcus Stables for 33 when stumped by Cater, and Kahn trapped Walkden leg before wicket for 60.

However, Matthew Sempill’s undefeated 51 off 46 balls and Slack’s undefeated 24 off 48 saw Cumbria to victory in 42.4 overs, closing on 285-4.