CRICKET: Oxon end on a high

12:24pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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Oxfordshire ended their Minor Counties Championship Western Division season in thriling style by defeating title-chasing Dorset in a tense finish at Dean Park, Bourne- mouth.

Resuming their second innings on 90-1, Oxon were bowled out for 206, which left Dorset 182 to win in a minimum of 35 overs.

The home county, who needed a victory to stand a chance of the title, went all out for the win, but finished 16 runs short as Oxon got home with ten balls rem- aining.

And they did it without a recognised wicketkeeper.

Charlie Knightley - himself a stand-in for injured captain Ian Hawtin - hurt a thumb in the warm-up on the last day, which meant Banbury's Craig Haupt was pressed into service and coped well.

Chris Sandbach top-scored in Oxfordshire's second innings with 48 off 157 balls, while Richard Kaufman and Ryan Newhook added useful runs. Indeed, Newhook's 26 off 96 balls was a personal best for the county and denied Dorset precious time.

Former Oxford University captain Tom Hicks finished with 5-51 off 32 overs.

Dorset made a steady start to their second innings as openers Glyn Treagus and Nick Park put on 44.

However, the introduction of 23-year-old debutant Matt Hancock, who plays for Stratford, saw wickets fall at regular intervals.

Hicks and Dan Belt looked to have swung it Dorset's way with a late stand, but off-spinner Hancock had the dangerous Belt well caught by Keith Arnold for 32 and the run chase fell just short.

Hancock, who is a schoolteacher, finished with an excellent 4-18, while Jamie Hewitt added good support with 3-38.