Oxfordshire Under 16s lost a low-scoring affair against Buckinghamshire by one wicket after a thrilling finish at Great & Little Tew.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Oxon suffered an early setback when Nigel Hume was soon dismissed.

But Vishane Perera and Harry Smith set about a recovery, and when Perera fell just before lunch on the first day, Oxon appeared well set on 97-2.

But after the interval, a steady procession of wickets meant a score of 300 was increasingly unlikely.

Smith top-scored with 57, while Richard Cook played some classy shots in his 36 as Oxon were bowled out for 206.

In reply, Bucks got off to a great start, Matthew Rance and Garry Emery sharing 76 for the first wicket.

But it was the introduction of spin that turned the game back in Oxfordshire's favour as leg-spinner Richard Simpson and off-spinner Jack Simpson turned the screw.

With runs hard to come by, wickets began to fall, with Richard Simpson taking four and Jack Simpson three.

The pair bowled 51 overs between them in fine spells that yielded just 96 runs.

But Bucks were steadily chipping away at the target, and they recorded victory, albeit in dramatic fashion.

An lbw appeal with the scores level was turned down as Bucks’ tailenders scampered a quick leg-bye to seal victory by the narrowest of margins.