TWO fine innings by Kington all-rounder Dave Exall were unable to prevent Herefordshire from slipping to a seven-wicket defeat in their opening Minor Counties Championship match of the season against Oxfordshire at Challow.
Exall crashed 12 fours and four sixes in his first innings 94, his best score at Minor Counties level, and followed this up with a second innings of 61.
But only veteran Harshad Patel (90) and Henry Langford (35) made scores of any note in the first innings to assist Exall as Herefordshire were dismissed for 275.
Robert Williams then put the Herefordshire attack to the sword with an unbeaten 197 as the home side gained a first innings lead of 110.
When Herefordshire batted again, although Langford (45) again batted well and Gulsheraz Ahmed chipped in with 46, the visitors were left to rely on Josh Tingle (41) and Ashley Nahorniak, who batted low in the order because of injury, to post a last-wicket stand of 52 to set a meaningful target.
A century opening stand quickly set Oxfordshire on the way to victory and although Gharib Nawaz (2-46) and Owen Price (1-47) picked up three wickets, it was not enough to prevent a comprehensive defeat.
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