THREE early wickets have given Oxfordshire the upper hand in their NCCA Championship final against Suffolk.
Oliver Currill struck twice and Gareth Andrew once as the Eastern Division 1 leaders fell from 57/2 overnight to 65/5 on the second morning at Tring CC.
It came after Oxon were bowled out for 248 on the first day, having been put into bat by Suffolk.
Harrison Smith (7) and Marcus Campopiano (6) fell without reaching double figures, but opener Oliver Ebsworth-Burland made 33 before he was dismissed to leave his side 60/3.
Olly Clarke (29) and Tom Cosford (46) put on 65 for the fourth wicket, before Jonny Cater steered Oxon past the 200 mark.
The captain top-scored with 56 (110) to leave his side just short of 250.
Oxon had time to have a go at Suffolk for 20 overs before the close and picked up two wickets, Robbie Shurmer removing Jack Beaumont caught and bowled and Andrew trapping Kyran Young lbw.
Suffolk were 77/5 at 11.30am.
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