OXFORDSHIRE'S opening Western Division match of the new campaign ended with a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Cornwall at Challow and Childrey on Tuesday.

Resuming their second innings just 22 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand, Oxon failed to master spin twins James Hands and Tom Sharp and their target of 107 proved easy meat for the visitors.

Simon Hole added only eight runs to his overnight 54 not out before falling to Hands, while the other overnight batsman, Adam Cook, fared better.

He made a patient 63, but lacked support from the lower order as Cornwall's spinners weaved their magic.

Oxon's cause was not helped when they were forced to declare on 203-9 because veteran seamer Keith Arnold was away from the ground for personal reasons.

Whether he would have made a great difference to the final total is debatable as left-armer Hands and off-spinner Sharp had a firm grip on the game.

Hands finished with 3-95 off 46 overs, 20 of which were maidens, while Sharp's reward was 4-54 off 38.4.

Jamie Hewitt struck an early blow for Oxon by having former Northants all-rounder Tony Penberthy caught by Hole for a duck, and then Arnold bagged two more wickets to cause a few jitters in the Cornish ranks before they clinched victory.

Things had started so well for Oxfordshire as Craig Haupt's magnificent century dominated the first day.

The big Banbury left-hander hammered a dominant 144 to score more than half off the home county's total after they had chosen to bat first.

Haupt's second century for Oxfordshire came of 181 balls, and beat his previous best of 121.

In all, he batted for 216 balls and struck one six and 23 fours.

Sadly, no teammate could match him as the county slumped to 258 all out.

With a lightning fast outfield, Oxon were looking for a total in excess of 300, and for a much of their first innings, they looked like achieving their objective.

At lunch, they were going well at 101-2 after 39 overs, with Haupt and Rob Williams at the crease.

The pair put on 80 for the third wicket, before Williams was run out after being sent back going for a quick single.

Oxon's long tail was now exposed as Haupt almost single-handedly took charge of the scoring.

The innings ended suddenly with the last five wickets falling for seven runs.

The beneficiaries were former Henley spinner Hands and Sharp, both of whom collected four wickets.

Hands pulled a hamstring and had to retire hurt when opening the Cornwall innings.

Apart from Arnold, none of the Oxon bowlers could keep it tight, as Cornwall scored freely, especially off the bowling of Oxon's professional Hewitt.

In contrast, Cornwall's former Nothants all-rounder Tony Penberthy attacked towards the end of the day, as the visitors finished in a strong position on 125-3.

Day two saw the hosts fighting a rearguard action after conceding a 96-run first-innings lead.

At one stage during the morning session, Oxon had hopes of snatching the advantage when they reduced the visitors to 215-7.

But then Cornwall sped to 354-9 from their 90-over allocation.

The day started well for Oxon as Cornwall's overnight pair departed on the same score.

With Keith Arnold striking twice, Oxon were back in the game. But then Chris Hunkin slammed 76 off 94 balls to rally the innings.

With support from 17-year-old debutant Chris Edwards and No 10 Gavin Harrison, who struck 52 off just 41 balls, Cornwall surged ahead.

Oxon lost Keith Mustow for nought in the fourth over, but Hole steadied the ship.

Haupt was bowled for 16, before Williams was brilliantly caught by Hands off his own bowling after a quickfire 25, which included a six and four fours.

But his teammates could not build a lead big enough to defend as the visitors walked off with 24 points to Oxon's six.