Oxfordshire's batsmen responded in style to the threat of being dropped on the first day of the Minor Counties Championship game with Wales at Banbury yesterday.

Before the match, skipper Rob Williams had warned he would wield the axe if his top order produced another below-par batting display.

And it seemed to do the trick as Oxon ended the day in control 113 runs ahead of their Western Division rivals with seven second-innings wickets in hand.

The home side rattled up a maximum eight bonus points as they made 229-5 in their first innings, and then bowled out the Welsh for 153. There were a few nervy moments in the last hour as Oxfordshire lost three quick wickets when they went out to bat again, but Williams and nightwatchman Giles Peddy steadied the ship.

Today, Oxon will be looking to establish a lead of around 260 or 270, a total which could well prove to be beyond an under-strength Welsh side on an excellent, sporting wicket.

The day was notable not only for Oxon's markedly improved batting, but also for the debut of Phil Evans, the 18-year-old seam-bowling son of former captain Rupert Evans. Evans Senior, an all-time great off-spinner and now the county's development officer, was on hand to watch his son take his first steps in Minor Counties cricket.

And he did not have to wait long to see a wicket. Evans Junior's first over was a seemingly nerveless maiden, and his second saw him trap James Langworth leg before with a full, in-swinging delivery.

But the star with the ball was Peddy, who claimed 5-36 with his off-spin. He was well-supported by his Oxford clubmate Ian Curtis, the veteran left-arm slow bowler, who took 3-57 in his first Championship game since 1998.

Earlier, Keith Mustow and Ben Thompson had made hard-hit half centuries in Oxon's first innings.

Thompson, who took his chance after being promoted up the order in the absence of Stewart Laudat, was particularly impressive.

But both ran themselves out needlessly and will be kicking themselves for not going on to reach three figures, especially as both went cheaply in the second innings.