Oxfordshire were made to toil as Cheshire rattled up the runs on the opening day of their Minor Counties Championship Western Division match at Banbury yester- day.

Oxon skipper Keith Arnold lost the toss, and then saw his side endure a long day in the sun as Cheshire amassed 365-5 in their allotted 90 overs to gain a maximum four batting points.

Openers Alex Twigg and Danny Leech put on 106 for the first wicket, before Graham Archer scored an unbeaten 121 assisted by captain Andy Hall and Matt Dawson.

Charlie Knightley took two good catches, both off Oxford seamer Philip Evans.

Ryan Newhook was presented with the match ball for his hat-trick from Oxon's win against Herefordshire on their last outing, but was unable to add to his tally.

Luke Merry, on his championship debut, also failed to get among the wickets.

Oxfordshire Ian Hawtin and Richard Kaufman as they reached 66-2 by the close.

CHESHIRE

First Innings

A Twigg c Knightley b P Evans...54

D Leech b I Evans...72

G Archer not out...121

N Cross lbw Arnold...17

A Hall c Knightley b P Evans...53

M Dawson c Newhook b I Evans...28

R Fisher not out...4

Extras...16

Total (5 wkts, 90ovs)...365

Fall: 1-106, 2-147, 3-202, 4-288, 5-360.

Bowling: Newhook 14-0-73-0, Merry 15-4-59-0, Arnold 23-8-45-1, P Evans 19-3-88-2, I Evans 19-2-87-2.

OXFORDSHIRE

First Innings

I Hawtin c Twigg b Pennant...10

C Smith not out...28

R Kaufman c Dawson b Whittaker...2

P Evans not out ...18

Extras...8

Total (2 wkts, 20ovs)...66

Fall: 1-34, 2-37.

Bowling: Pennant 8-2-27-1, Whittaker 7-0-32-1, Fisher 3-1-5-0, Cross 2-2-0-0.

Oxon 2pts, Cheshire 4