OXFORDSHIRE slumped to a disappointing innings and 42-run defeat at Cornwall in their opening Unicorns Counties Championship match.

Two poor batting displays proved their downfall in the Western Division clash, with only Jordan Garrett (54) getting on top of the hosts’ attack.

After the opening day in Truro washed out by rain, this two-day defeat was not the start to the campaign Oxfordshire were looking for.

Resuming on 104-7, some 208 runs behind their hosts, the visitors faced a mammoth task to get back into the game.

That mission became even harder when Gareth Andrew fell with just five runs added to their overnight total, bowled by Greg Smith for 11.

Joe Butcher was the next to fall, caught by Mark Gribble for a duck, giving Smith his fifth wicket of the innings.

Oxfordshire’s fate was sealed when Joe Thomas was stumped by Scott Harvey off the bowling of Andrew Libby as they were all out for 126 in the 76th over.

Harvey Eltham was the only batsman to defy the Cornish attack, finishing unbeaten on 27.

Oxon were asked to bat again by their hosts, and their frailties were quickly exposed.

Opener Harry Smith was dismissed for a duck, his second of the match, bowled by Tom Dinnis.

And the visitors were soon 2-2 when Tom Condon was caught behind by Harvey off Libby also without scoring.

Tom Price was then bowled by Dinnis to make it 15-3 before Eltham, who had been promoted to opener, was trapped leg before by Libby as Oxon slumped to 19-4.

Jonny Cater was next to fall, bowled by Smith for 21 to leave the visitors on 65-5.

A half-century sixth-wicket stand between Garrett and Richard Kaufman halted Cornwall’s progess, the former eventually falling for 54, his innings including seven fours.

Kaufman followed shortly afterwards, lbw to Rowe, to leave Oxfordshire languishing on 129-7.

Olly Clarke was trapped leg before by Smith just two runs later.

And when Andrew was bowled by Rowe, Oxon were on 133-9.

Although No 11 Thomas decided attack was the best form of defence, hitting the only six of Oxfordshire’s two innings, their fate was sealed when Butcher was stumped by Harvey off Libby.