OXFORDSHIRE Under 18s finally commenced their ECB Under 18 County Championship campaign, emerging on top of a drawn encounter against Sussex at Blackstone.

After two years of waiting since being promoted to the A Championship, heavy rain washed out day one of the match, before Covid-19 issues intervened to cause the second day to also be wiped out.

But when Covid tests were returned negative, Oxfordshire took to the field on Thursday in a match reduced to one day, 50 overs per side.

New Oxfordshire Under 18 captain Ethan Davie won the toss and elected to bat first, and saw his side post a hugely competitive total of 238-8 in their 50 overs in tricky conditions.

A 26-run opening stand between Freddie Smith and Alfie Turner saw off the new ball, before Zach Lion-Cachet joined Smith at the crease.

With Smith contributing a breezy 47 off 68 balls, Oxfordshire set about the Sussex attack, which included Under 19 pro Joe Sarro.

Lion-Cachet was the star of the show, however, as he hammered a terrific century, scoring 132 off just 119 balls.

His innings was brutal, containing 17 fours and six sixes, including two which sailed out of the ground off Sarro’s bowling.

With useful contributions from others, including Ben Cross and Eliot Hyman, Oxfordshire were satisfied with their total.

In reply, Oxfordshire got off to a perfect start, reducing Sussex to 46-4 as Abhir Joshi (2-35) shone with the ball.

A 116-run stand for the fifth wicket got Sussex back into the game, but when Ethan Davie and Anton Eisner removed Sam Henderson and R Tangirala for 63 and 57 respectively, Sussex opted to shut up shop ten overs out and bat out for the draw, closing on 182-6 in their 50 overs.

A hugely satisfying first performance for Oxfordshire, however, who showed that they were more than a match for their hosts.