Any lingering hopes Oxfordshire had of winning the Minor Counties Championship Western Division title were swept away as they crashed to 76 all out just after lunch on the first day of their three-day match against Devon at Sidmouth on Sunday.

On a low-scoring day, Oxon bowlers fought back well and restricted their host s to a first-innings lead of 107.

That had been reduced by a further 38 runs for the loss of Richard Kaufman as Oxon batted for eight overs in the second innings at the end of the day.

It was the lack of a single batting point that ended Oxon’s title chances in a disastrous pre-lunch session after they had been asked to bat first.

Apart from Kaufman who struck a rapid 31 out of 37, none of the Oxon batsmen could cope with the deliveries of Ian Bishop in ideal swing-bowling conditions.

The loss of Kaufman, Craig Haupt and Charlie Knightley in the space of five balls proved a massive blow.

Only Lloyd Sabin followed Kaufman in reaching double figures, as Oxon lunched at 70-8.

Shortly after the interval, the innings ended at 76. Bishop, having bowled throughout to return 6-46 from 19.5 overs.

Led by teenager Tom Geeson -Brown, Oxon fought back bravely in the afternoon session.

Devon lost two wickets with their score on one, and it was soon 43-4, Geeson-Brown having taken three wickets.

Bobby Dawson and Josh Bess added 64, before another clatter of wickets left them on 126-8, a lead of only 50.

Then wicket-keeper Sandy Allen, with a brisk 49 off 65 balls, turned the game Devon’s way, taking three fours off one over from debutant Ashley Blanchard.

Devon were eventually all out for 183, Geeson-Brown returning the impressive figures of 4-42 and Daniel Rowe 3-38.

Kaufman scored rapdily at the end of the day, but departed to the last ball of the penultimate over to leave Devon in charge.