Cornwall's hopes of retaining the Minor Counties Championship, they won for the first time in their history last season, suffered another blow as they went down to a five wicket defeat against Oxfordshire at Truro today.
After losing in the last over to Devon in their opening game, it was the first time since 2004, when they lost the first two at Bridgnorth and Trowbridge, that Cornwall have lost back to back championship games in the same season,
Oxfordshire had been set a target of 228 with a day and 40 minutes available and at 11 for one overnight Cornwall must have fancied their chances of forcing victory on a third day pitch, but Oxfordshire had other ideas.
All their batsmen contributed, but at 180 for five the game was still in the balance.
However, first innings centurion Jonny Cater was superb again and with skipper Luke Ryan in support, the pair put on an unbeaten 52 to win the game.
Cater hit the winning shot, smashing Shakil Ahmed for six, to bring up his hundred.
He is only the fifth player to hit centuries in both innings of a match against Cornwall.
Redruth spinner Neil Ivamy had match figures of eight for 155 from all but 70 overs.
Next up for Cornwall is the trip to Corsham in ten days to take on Wiltshire.
Full details in this week's West Briton and Cornishman newspapers.
