WOKINGHAM crashed to a 125-run defeat at Oxford Downs, who were playing their first home HCPL Division Two game since being promoted from the Cherwell League.

After skipper Stuart Parsons had elected to field first on an overcast day, the Oaks bowled well, tying down the home attack and restricting them to 220-6 in their 50 overs

Of that total, opener Will Watts contributed 87 off 124 balls before being caught behind by Michael Bates off the bowling of Simon Myles.

Max Uttley, who has joined the club from Reading having previously been with Finchampstead, took his first wicket for the side when having Tom Costley snapped up by Myles with only five runs to his name. The spinner went on to finish with 1-38 off his 10 overs.

There was success, too, for Paul Dewick (2-44) and Lewis Sharp (1-45), who was also responsible for a run-out.

It did not look the easiest of wickets to bat on, as the visitors soon discovered.

Parsons was caught and bowled for a four-ball duck, Dan Housego was run out with seven runs to his name and Bates made just a single, leaving them in deep trouble at 14-3.

Sukhi Kang and James Bird worked hard to get their side out of a hole and lifted the total to 68 before the former offered a return catch to bowler George Sandbach for 27 and three runs later Bird was caught for 21, making it 71-5.

Of the remaining batsmen, only Stuart Hayter (13) got into double figures and the last five wickets tumbled for 11 runs, the Oaks being dismissed for 95 off the penultimate ball of the 32nd over.

Sandbach finished with excellent figures of 5-19 off 9.5 overs and was well supported by Watts (2-11) and New Zealand all-rounder Richard Sillars (2-18).

Having beaten Cookham Dean a week earlier, this was a disappointing day for Wokingham and one they will be looking to get out of their system very quickly.

This coming Saturday, they are away again, visiting Thame Town, with both sides having recorded a win and a defeat in their opening two fixtures.