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IN THE 49.3 overs permitted by rain and then hail, Oxford University, having chosen to bat first, were bowled out for 129 with Graeme Welch taking a career-best four for 39.

Oxford are inexperienced, with only one Blue in captain Mark Wagh, and though Warwickshire rested Allan Donald and Gladstone Small and have Tim Munton recovering from another back operation, the attack they fielded was strong enough.

Uneven bounce did not help the students' cause, Byron Byrne's promising innings ending when a Dougie Brown torpedo struck his ankle. Peter Morgan and Alex Scrini were also lbw victims as Oxford declined from 51 for three to 70 for eight.

Earlier, Welch had made the first inroads, having Wagh deftly caught at slip, taking Roger Hudson's bails with a trimmer and swinging one in to beat Charlie Lightfoot.

Fortunately for Oxford James Averis, a capable batsman who looks a little low at No 10, refused to panic. Though beaten occasionally, he relied on front foot defence while giving the ball a good thump whenever it was possible.

The last two wickets had put on 59 before Nick Knight, playing his first game since smashing a knuckle in New Zealand, recalled Welch to wind up matters with Averis not out on 36.