Bucks lose to Oxfordshire in tight finish

Bucks. snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as they lost by 13 runs to Oxfordshire in their 50-over contest at Aston Rowant on Sunday.
Chasing 214 for victory, Bucks seemed home and dry at 186-5 with plenty of time left, but a series of injudicious strokes saw them crash to 200 all out.
So Oxon edged home in the first of three hastily-arranged matches for the Nurton-York Cup.
After winning the toss, Oxon's innings was dominated by 16-year-old James Coles, who scored a superb 101 from 132 balls with 11 fours. But tight bowling, backed by some superb fielding with led to two run-outs, restricted the hosts to 213 all out in 48.5 overs.
Left-arm spinner Conner Haddow claimed 3-34, while Michael Payne took 2-30.
AJ Woodland (36) and debutant, former Worcestershire played Alexei Kervezee (31) put Bucks on the path to apparent victory.
Then a fourth-wicket stand of 70 between Charlie Macdonell (46) and Dan Ogden (35) strengthened their position.
At 186-5, a Bucks victory seemed assured, but a series of injudicious shots saw them lose four wickets for three runs in 13 balls.
Michael Payne (23no) tried to steer Bucks home, but lost No 11 Stephen Croft to Coles at 200 with 21 balls left.
There were also Bucks senior debuts for Eliot Callis (High Wycombe) and wicket-keeper Ross Richardson (Camberley).
The two counties will meet again in two T20 games at the same venue on August 30 to decide the destination of the cup.

Family ties: James Coles is the son of former Bucks player and team manager Jon Coles, whose half-brother Ian Thompson was scoring for Bucks on the day. Ian is also the scorer at Gerrards Cross, where Jon Coles played most of his club cricket.

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