CHAD Keegan’s superb six-wicket haul put Oxfordshire in a strong position after the first day of their Western Division encounter at home to Cheshire.

The paceman took 6-36 as Oxon dismissed their visitors for 154 in the 41st over of the Unicorns Counties Championship clash at Banbury.

The hosts then produced a solid batting display to lead by 39 at the close on 193-4.

Oxon, searching for their second win of 2016 after their victory over Devon two weeks ago, lost the toss, with Cheshire electing to bat.

But the visitors got off to a bad start, restricted to 5-1 in the fourth over after Banbury’s Lloyd Sabin caught Rick Moore in the slips off the bowling of Thame seamer Will Rooney.

Cheshire, though, recovered well, with David Hurst (61) and Callum Rowe (47) putting on 93 for the second wicket.

Keegan dropped Rowe at mid-off on 30, but once captain Luke Ryan (3-44) trapped Hurst leg before other wickets followed.

From 98-2, Cheshire crashed to 121-5, with Keegan the chief destroyer.

He had Lee Dixon caught mid-on by Aston Rowant’s Leo Bethell.

And he then took two wickets in three balls, vice-captain Jonny Cater catching Khalid Sawas behind for nought, before Jack Williams followed him back to the pavilion, trapped lbw.

Rowe was still at the crease, but was next to go, caught by Banbury’s Ryan at mid-off for Keegan’s fourth of the day to leave the visitors on 140-6.

They went on to lose the last four wickets for 14 runs, with Keegan and Ryan mopping up the tail.

Oxon got off to a strong start in reply, Richard Kaufman and Abingdon Vale teenager Ben Charlesworth sharing an opening partnership of 60.

They fell within four overs of each other, left arm-spinner Dan Woods dismissing both and going on to claim 4-54.

Debutant Ollie Clarke, of Banbury, soon followed, caught by Dixon to leave Oxon 85-3.

Sabin was then dismissed, but from 108-4 Cater (45no) and Great & Little Tew’s Joe White (40no) went on to steady the ship and consistently score runs to put Oxon in control after the first day of play.