A BRILLIANT spell of hostle fast bowling by Stuart Hole could not prevent Oxford losing by three wickets at home to Slough in Division 1.

Hole captured all seven wickets as well as causing one of the batsman to retire hurt.

But he lacked sufficient support as the visitors successfully chased down their victory target of 235, with four balls to spare.

Oxford, who were inserted, lost wickets whenever they looked like building up a good position.

Ronak Sekhri top-scored with 43 as Oxford paid for the lack of a major innings.

They were eventually bowled out for 234, with left-arm seamer Waqar Ahmed taking three wickets.

At the start of the Slough reply, Waqar Ahmed, who also opened the batting, had to retire hurt after being cut in the face by a delivery from Hole.

The paceman troubled all the Slough batsmen, and Oxford must have fancied their chances when he reduced their opponents to 71-4.

But a fifth-wicket stand of 129 between Bobby Sher and Gheyas Khan turned the match Slough's way.

Hole captured three more wickets, including that of Sher for 84, but Waqar Ahmed returned to guide Slough home with four balls to spare.

Hole took 7-71 in a fabulous display, but it was not enough.