A disastrous collapse saw Oxfordshire crash to a 14-run defeat in their second-place play-off against Wiltshire at Great & Little Tew in the ECB Under 17 Championship.

Oxon had been in a winning position after an excellent bowling display dismissed the visitors for 177.

And early on the second day, Oxon seemed to be cruising at 140-3, only to lose their final seven wickets for 23 runs to crash to 163 all out.

Oxon lost the toss and were asked to field first, but soon had the visitors on 33-3 with Will Rooney taking two wickets.

Spinners Jack and Richard Simpson then claimed three victims apiece.

Wilts’ total seemed below-par, and an opening stand of 66 between Harry Smith and Lloyd Sabin put Oxon well on course.

Smith was given out lbw towards the end of the first day, while Ross Barrett followed for a duck and Nigel Hume for one as the home side were reduced to 98-3 by the close.

On day two, Sam Ryan and Sabin shared 42 for the fourth wicket, putting them within 38 runs of victory.

But Sabin was caught behind for 89 and Ryan stumped for 19.

And that sparked the collapse as Oxon’s final five wickets fell little over 40 minutes.

They did not help their own cause with two further stumpings and a run out wrapping up the innings.