Oxfordshire slipped to a three-wicket defeat against Berkshire in their opening ECB 38-County Championship group game at Thatcham yesterday.

Set 232 for victory, the hosts always looked favourites to win and got home with 1.5 overs to spare.

But it was, nevertheless, an encouraging performance from the visitors.

Oxon are traditionally slow starters to the season, but there were some encouraging performances in defeat.

Oxford & Horspath all-rounder Adam Cook came to the crease with his side in a little trouble at 68-3 and went on to make an intelligent and patient 45.

He put on 106 for the fourth wicket with Banbury Twenty's young left-hander Richard Hawkins, who top-scored with 70 and looks to have the temperament and technique to make plenty of runs at this level.

However, the real plus was Cook's spell of 4-45 with his off-spinners. Just two seasons ago, Cook was struggling badly with his action and could barely land two deliveries in the same place.

But after intensive remedial work with former skipper Rupert Evans and plenty of encouragement from coach Jack Potter, Cook is back to his best.

He was Oxon's most effective bowler, and almost turned the game their way when he took the wickets of Nick Wilton and ex-Essex star Paul Prichard in the space of four balls.

New boys Richard Lynch and Simon Launder also impressed.

Cropredy all-rounder Lynch enjoyed a dream start to his Oxfordshire career, taking wickets with his sixth and seventh deliveries, while Kingston Bagpuize seamer Launder bowled with genuine pace and a good deal better than his figures would suggest.

Oxon had got off to a flying start with the bat, but openers Craig Haupt and Keith Mustow fell in quick succession to leave the visitors 30-2. Charlie Knightley then batted beautifully before chasing a wide one.

Hawkins and Cook rebuilt the innings, but they perhaps missed out on the 20 or so quick singles that would have lifted Oxon to a really challenging total.

And it needed a typically hard-hit 32 off 20 balls at the death from Graham Savin, the sixth left-handed batsman in their top six, to give them something to bowl at.