After a dispiriting 67-run defeat at the hands of Gloucestershire in the ECB Cup earlier in the week, Oxon Under 14s raised their game and restored some pride, despite losing by five wickets against Berkshire.

Berkshire won the toss and inserted Oxfordshire, and after heavy overnight rain, the pitch was damp early on.

At 42-5 in the 19th over, Patel launched a fine fightback.

He scored 59 and Matty Taylor 35 in a sixth-wicket stand of 87.

Oxon closed on a respectable 149-8, and their opening bowlers Zubair Ehsan and Tom Nugent bowled superb early spells.

Nugent struck twice in the eigith over to reduce Berkshire to 40-2, but an aggressive batting line-up pushed the run rate along.

The introduction of spinner Fi Morris led to two fine stumpings for Patel that gave Oxfordshire a sniff of victory, but opener Sohail Mangat (73) guided his team to victory with just one more wicket falling.