WILTSHIRE made a disappointing start to their Minor Counties Knockout Trophy campaign when they lost their first group match to Oxfordshire at Westbury on Sunday by six wickets.

The defeat means they will probably have to win all their remaining group matches to qualify for the semi-finals. Batting first, Wiltshire made a steady start with Eddie Abel and Rob Cunliffe putting on 33 for the first wicket in 10 overs before Cunliffe was bowled.

Abel went on to score 42 but lost three more partners before he was out with the score at 94 off 35 overs.

Then the middle order of James Golding (48 not out), James Hibberd (31) and Richard Bedbrook (19 not out) put on 100 in the final 15 overs to take the score to 194 for seven off their 50 overs.

For Oxfordshire the veteran medium pace bowler Keith Arnold took two for 17 off 10 overs and Philip Evans three for 49.

In Oxfordshire's reply they lost Stuart Laudat run out with the score at 19 before Keith Mustow (68), Craig Haupt (34), Richard Williams (26 not out) and James Hewitt (33 not out) saw Oxfordshire home to a comfortable victory by six wickets with four overs remaining.

Alex Senneck bowled his 10 overs for 22 runs and there was one wicket each for Richard Bedbrook, James Hibberd and Liam Dawson.

Wiltshire's next match in the competition is away to Hertfordshire at Radlett on Sunday.

Full story, reaction and pictures in Friday's Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News.