Bucks suffered a last-over defeat against Oxfordshire at Wormsley on Sunday in the opening group match of their National Counties Trophy 50-overs campaign.

Oxon squeezed home by three wickets with just one ball to spare in the idyllic country house setting near Stokenchurch.

Choosing to bat first, Bucks lost a wicket in the first over but a second-wicket stand of 111 in 22 overs by AJ Woodland (54) and Billy Mead (63) laid the basis for a challenging total.

After the fall of three quick wickets, the reins were taken up by Ross Richardson (54) and Michael Payne (41) who put on 91 for the fifth wicket in 15 overs. (Picture shows Michael Payne congratulating Ross Richardson on his 50).

At 230-4 with more than six overs to go, Bucks were looking at a total of 275 plus.

But five wickets fell for 23 runs and Bucks had to settle for 253-9 from their 50 overs, Tom Hinley taking 5-38 for Oxon.

An innings of 91 by opener Jamie Harrison put Oxon top in the run chase but off-spinner Max Uttley took 3-48 on his Bucks debut and when the seventh wicket fell Oxon still needed 27 off 4.2 overs.

But Hinley, with 29 not out guided them home. Oxon needed three from the final over bowled by Bucks skipper Tom Hampton and got home with a ball to spare. Scorecard

Hampton, who took 2-33 from 8.5 overs, will be hoping his team have better luck in their second group game against Devon at High Wycombe on Sunday June 9.