Karl Penhale’s five-wicket haul and an impressive all-round effort by debutant Will Beer gave Oxfordshire the upper hand in their opening Unicorns Counties Championship Western Division clash against Berkshire at Henley.

Banbury paceman Penhale finished with 5-49 as Berkshire were bowled out in their first innings yesterday for 119 after winning the toss and deciding to bat.

Sussex leg-spinner Beer weighed in with 3-23 and then hit 68 as Oxfordshire were dismissed in the final over on day one for 210 – a valuable lead of 91 runs.

Berkshire had reached 27 without loss when Penhale had both Waqas Hussain, fresh from hitting an unbeaten 153 for Slough on Saturday, and Simon Macey caught behind in quick succession.

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He then struck three more times to make it 62-5.

Richard Morris was caught by Michael Beard in the gully, before James Morris went to Richard Kaufman at first slip, and then Steve Naylor was bowled first ball.

Harry Stephens stood firm with 53 from 90 balls, with six fours and two maximums.

But Beer and captain Luke Ryan’s left-arm spin combined to polish Berkshire off, with Kaufman taking four slip catches.

Having seen the dry pitch was producing turn, Berkshire opened with left-arm spinner Chris Peploe, who took the first two wickets and the last four, returning 6-49.

The visitors tumbled to 23-3, with Michael Beard, Hugo Darby and Lloyd Sabin falling cheaply.

Cater became paceman Tom Nugent’s second victim, making it 47-4.

But then Richard Kaufman (37) and Beer rebuilt the innings, before the former was lbw to Nugent (3-81).

However, Beer, whose runs came off 120 balls with ten fours, received good support from Joe White and Ryan to ensure Oxon’s healthy lead.