Oxfordshire face an uphill battle if they are to win their first Minor Counties Championship Western Division match of the season today.

Ian Hawtin’s men trail Shropshire by 212 runs after day two of the clash at Great & Little Tew.

The visitors still have seven wickets in hand and should post Oxon a formidable victory target.

Led by their impressive opening batsman Ed Foster, who finished unbeaten on 89, Shropshire eased themselves into a controlling position after the hosts failed to build on a decent start to the day.

Resuming on 73-0, Oxon would have hoped to get near Shropshire’s first tinnings total of 353-9.

But no batsman provided the big innings they really needed to get there.

Damian Shirazi was the first to fall for 33.

Fellow opener Richard Kaufman top-scored with 73, while Jack Taylor made 46 to add to his six-wicket haul in Shropshire’s innings.

Craig Haupt chipped in with 42, which included some powerful blows, but he was also on the receiving end, being struck on a finger by a delivery from Dan Bowen, which required treatment.

Daniel Rowe provided a brisk 33, but Oxon were all out for 294 to trail the visitors by 59.

This was probably a little below par, especially with a lightning fast outfield.

Medium-pacer Jono Whitney was the pick of Shropshire’s attack with 5-74, and earned the crucial breakthrough when Oxon looked well set at 135-1.

Whitney removed Kaufman and Rob Williams, for a duck, with two lbws in the same over.

Andy Gray, Shropshire's other professional alongside Chris Murtagh, took 3-71.

Paceman Stuart Hole gave Oxfordshire an early breakthrough by having Will Parton caught by David Smith for four.

But Shropshire made a solid start to their second innings, with Foster in particularly good touch and scoring the bulk of his runs through boundaries. He showed his intent by smashing 12 off Taylor’s first over.

Left-arm spinner Luke Ryan picked up a couple of wickets through catches to Haupt at slip, but Oxon didn’t seem able to exert enough pressure as Shropshire closed on 153-3.

Scores: Shropshire 353-9 & 153-3 (E Foster 89no), Oxfordshire 294 (R Kaufman 73, J Whitney 5-74).