A magnificent century from Craig Haupt dominated the first day of Oxfordshire's Minor Counties Championship Western Division match against Cornwall at Challow & Childrey on Saturday.

The big Banbury left-hander hammered a dominant 144 to score more than half off the home county's total after they had chosen to bat first.

Haupt's second century for Oxfordshire came of 181 balls, and beat his previous best of 121.

In all, he batted for 216 balls and struck one six and 23 fours.

Sadly, no teammate could match as the county slumped to 258 all out in their first Championship match of the season.

Cornwall progressed to 125-3 at the close of the first day of this three-day encounter.

With a lightning fast outfield, Oxon were looking for a total in excess of 300, and for a much of their first innings, they looked like achieving their objective.

At lunch, they were going well at 101-2 after 39 overs, with Haupt and Rob Williams at the crease.

The pair put on 80 for the third wicket, before Rob Williams was run out after being sent back going for a quick single.

Oxon's long tail was now exposed as Haupt almost single-handedly took charge of the scoring.

The innings ended suddenly with the last five wickets falling for seven runs.

The beneficiaries were former Henley left-arm spinner James Hands and off-spinner Tom Sharp both of whom collected four wickets.

Hands pulled a hamstring and had to retire hurt when opening the Cornwall innings.

Apart from Keith Arnold, none of the Oxon bowlers could keep it tight, as Cornwall scored freely, especially off the bowling of Oxon's professional Jamie Hewitt.

In contrast, Cornwall's former Nothants all-rounder Tony Penberthy attacked towards the end of the day, as the visitors finished in a strong position.

But the day belonged, undoubtedly, to Haupt.