Oxford UCCE's three-day match against Nottinghamshire was abandoned as a draw yesterday when heavy rain prevented any play in The Parks.

Saturday's play was marked by a disastrous opening 45 minutes when Oxford, 15-1 overnight in reply to Notts' 396-4 dec, lost half the side for 39.

The only batsman unaffected by the collapse was Stuart Airey, who added 17 to his overnight one not out in a six-wicket stand of 51 with Will Howard.

After lunch, Airey and off-spinner Paul McMahon, who is on the Notts staff, put on 65.

Airey was ninth out for 72 after a little under five hours at the crease and the innings closed at 190.

Jason Gallian, who led Oxford to a seven-wicket win over Notts 11 years ago with an unbeaten 141, did not enforce the follow on the county were 106-2 in their second innings, 302 ahead. Both wickets were taken by Tim Linley.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

First Innings: 396-4 dec (D Hussey 107 no, J Gallian 89, R Warren 67, K Pietersen 62, M Ealham 52 no).

Second Innings

D Bicknell c Sayers b Linley...13

P Franks c Anwar b Linley...24

D Alleyne not out...43

R Warren not out...20

Extras...6

Total (2 wkts)...106

Bowling: Suman 7-1-37-0, Linley 9-5-25- 2, Richards 7-3-17-0, McMahon 7.2-20-0, Munday 2-0-5-0.

OXFORD UCCE

First Innings

S Hawinkels b Smith...9

J Sayers c Alleyne b Smith...4

S Airey c Alleyne b Smith...72

L Parker lbw Smith...0

O Anwar b Shreck...9

M Richards lbw Shreck...5

W Howard c Alleyne b MacGill...33

P McMahon c Shreck b Hussey...25

T Linley c & b Smith...8

A Suman not out...1

M Munday c MacGill b Franks...0

Extras...24

Total (all out)...190

Fall: 1-13, 2-20, 3-20, 4-29, 5-39, 6-90, 7-155, 8-176, 9-187.

Bowling: Smith 21-6-52-5, Shreck 19-9-30-2, MacGill 10-6-13-1, Franks 10.5-1-36-1, Ealham 13-5-42-0, Hussey 8-5-6-1.