CAPTAIN Tim Price and leg-spinner Archie Spittles were the star performers as Oxfordshire Under 10s began their season in impressive fashion with a fine eight-wicket victory over Devon at Tiverton.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl first under leaden skies, Oxfordshire struggled to make early inroads with the new ball, as the hosts made a strong start.
That was until the spin pairing of Benedict Yorston and Spittles wrestled back the initiative.
Both bowlers found an excellent length from their first deliveries to tie down the Devon batsman.
The home side struggled, and fell from 69-1 to 96-6.
A spirited recovery saw Devon to 156-8 after their 35 overs, Spittles finishing with fine figures of 4-17.
The total seemed a formidable one, but Oxfordshire opener Charlie Miller set about the attack with great style.
He shared an opening stand of 62 with skipper Price before being bowled for 35.
Harrison Ward came and went, being run-out for 11.
But that was the last wicket to fall as Price carried his bat for an unbeaten half-century in an unbroken third wicket stand of 73.
Price reached his maiden county half-century with one of his nine boundaries.
And fittingly, it was Price who hit the winning runs and a secure a record third-wicket partnership with another boundary sealing victory for Oxfordshire with more than four overs to spare.
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