Oxfordshire Under 17s made a strong Bicester & North Oxford side fight all the way before slipping to a two-run defeat in a friendly.

Bicester won the toss and batted first, and were debted to Duncan Bradshaw, who scored a half century in Bicester's total of 158 all out.

Bradshaw, who had scored his maiden first-class century for Oxford UCCE against Nottinghamshire in The Parks two days earlier, was dropped on three, before hitting seven fours and a six to reach his fifty.

Jack Taylor was the pick of the Oxon bowlers, taking three wickets from ten tight overs of spin, while Shahbaz Alam chipped in with a couple of late wickets.

In reply, the Under 17s lost a wicket in the first over, but they batted with great maturity as they chipped away at the total.

Anchored by an excellent half century by Will Barker, Oxon were always in the hunt.

However, three wickets apiece from Michael Fisher and Ian Bryan saw Bicester to a narrow victory as they dismissed the youngsters for 156.