Bicester & North Oxford made a disappointing start to their Home Counties Premier League campaign with a 45-run defeat away to new boys Henley.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Bicester reduced the home side to 154-8, with debutants Lee Mason and Kingsley Went picking up three wickets apiece.

However a defiant ninth-wicket stand of 47 between Hilditch and Oxfordshire seamer Steve Wright allowed Henley to be bowled out for 202 in the 66th over, county all-rounder Andy White top-scoring with 55.

In reply, Bicester soon lost opener Boon, but opener Ian Hawtin was in a positive mood.

First, with captain Darryl Woods (20) and then with Went, Hawtin put the visitors in a healthy position at 117-2.

However, after Hawtin fell for 46 and Went was out for 47, Bicester suffered a major collapse and Henley began to scent victory.

Wright was particularly impressive, taking 4-21 with his lively seamers, while White completed a good game by picking up 2-12.

The home side worked their way through the Bicester middle and lower order, and eventually bowled the visitors out for 157 with only five minutes of the game remaining.

Graham Savin was the only man to provide any resistance, making 18.