OXFORDSHIRE’S struggles in the Unicorns Counties Championship continued on the first day of their Western Division match against Shropshire at Aston Rowant yesterday.

Following their innings defeat by Cornwall, Oxon at one stage reduced Shropshire to 177-7, after a fine four-wicket stint from seamer Will Rooney.

But the visitors recovered to 264 all out, and by the close of a rain-curtailed day, Oxon were struggling at 42-3.

Because of the recent weather, the original pitch was unusable, so it was switched to the strip used for Rowant’s league game the previous day.

Shropshire chose to bat, but found run-scoring difficult on a slow pitch.

At lunch they were 116-4, Rooney taking two wickets, while Great Tew’s Lloyd Brock claimed his first in the Championship.

Rooney struck twice more in the afternoon, and when Henry Blofield played on to Brock, the visitors were in trouble at 177-7.

But a half-century from Ross Aucott and a lively 30 from No 10 Alex Wyatt, including a big six off Luke Ryan, took them past 250 before Great Tew left-arm spinner Joe Thomas, on his Championship debut, claimed the last two wickets.

Oxon soon lost Harrison Ward, adjudged to be caught behind down the leg side, and Lloyd Sabin, who fell for nought to a super slip catch by Blofield.

After the first break for rain, Michael Beard was bowled off his pads, before another shower ended play early.

As a result, play will start today at 10.30am, weather permitting.