Jamie Dalrymple completed a maiden century and hit the highest individual score by an Oxford batsman since Iain Sutcliffe's unbeaten 163 against Hampshire seven years ago on the second day of the match with Gloucestershire in The Parks yesterday.

But it did not start well for Oxford following the County's 483-6 overnight declaration.

Dalrymple promoted himself to open the innings in the absence of Joe Sayers with a stomach complaint and in the fifth over he lost Matt Floyd with four on the board.

Steve Hawinkels kick-started the innings with a punishing 36, including a six and half a dozen boundaries off 31 balls before he was caught at the wicket. Huw Jones fell six runs later, but Neil Miller and Ian Hilsum chipped in with useful partnerships with Dalrymple.

Oxford were boosted by the reappearance of Sayers after lunch. His health improved during the morning and he declared himself fit to bat after a net.

His chance came when Hilsum fell at 148-5 and the sixth pair produced the best batting of the day.

Dalrymple soon completed his century and the partnership's only anxious moment came when Sayers was 16. He pulled away from the stumps and was bowled by off spinner Martin Ball. But in the best spirit of the game, umpire Mike Dixon adjudged the delivery a dead ball.

The pair added 105 when Dalrymple was superbly caught for 148 which contained a six and 21 fours. Sayers went on to score 55.

Gloucestershire were left with ten minutes batting after Oxford were dismissed for 306 but bad light stopped play before a ball was bowled.