Oxfordshire made a superb start to their competitive season when they cruised to a six-wicket victory over Wiltshire in their Minor Counties KO Cup group match at Westbury on Sunday.

Star of the show again was veteran seamer Keith Arnold, whose return of 2-17 in ten overs put the hosts in a position, from which they never fully recovered.

Choosing to bat first in cloudy conditions, Wiltshire cruised to 33 without alarm.

But once Jack Brooks had made the breakthrough by dismissing Oxon player Rob Cunliffe, Arnold kept a tight stranglehold on the batsmen.

With Banbury off-spinner Jimmy Phillips, who had replaced Luke Ryan in a late change to the side, supporting well at the other end, Oxon reduced their opponents to 94-5 after 35 overs.

Thanks to some bold hitting from James Golding in an unbeaten 48, Wiltshire were able to score 100 from the last 15 overs to reach a respectable 194-7.

Seamer Phil Evans bowled a good spell, while the run chase was on, to finish with three wickets.

Oxon suffered an early blow in reply, when Stewart Laudat was run out after a mix-up with Keith Mustow which saw both batsmen at the same end.

Mustow did not let this incident affect him and proceeded to play a match-winning knock.

The Oxford opener hit 68 off 94 balls with eleven fours abd two sixes to send his side on the road to victory.

Craig Haupt played well in support.

Then Rob Williams and professional Jamie Hewitt, who had earlier suffered some punishment with the ball, got his own back to see Oxon to an easy victory at the end of the 46th over.

Oxfordshire warmed up for the KO Cup game, with a nine-wicket victory over Banbury in a friendly on Saturday.

In reply to Banbury's 50-over score of 186-6, Oxon eased home in 39.1 overs thanks to a century from Ian Tew, who scored 102 not out from 121 balls.

Stuart Hole gave good suupport with 70 not out.