Shahbaz Ali hit an unbeaten 71 on his first-team debut as Oxford were held to a draw by Bletchley Town in a rain-affected match at St Catherine's College, Marston.

It was a frustrating result for Oxford, who felt they had been robbed of the chance of victory by the weather after losing the toss and being put in to bat.

The two sides were about to take to the pitch when the heavens opened five minutes before the scheduled start.

And, when the rain finally stopped, it was touch and go whether there would be any play at all.

But the groundstaff raced against the clock to bring a coconut matting from The Parks to protect a nearby wicket, and their efforts were rewarded with play getting under way two minutes before the 3pm cut-off time.

With the game reduced to the minimum 70 overs, in-form Patrick Jobson moved up the order to open the batting, and after Keith Mustow fell without scoring, he enjoyed a fine stand of 72 with Shahbaz for the second wicket.

When Jobson went for 38, Shahbaz maintained the momentum, making his runs off 103 balls with two sixes, including one massive blow which disappeared into the trees over square leg.

It enabled Oxford to declare on 163-4 off 35 overs.

Bowling Bletchley out from the same quota was always going to be a tall order - and so it proved.

The visitors reached 56-1 off 18 overs, but then put up the shutters with just 15 runs coming off the last 17 overs as wickets fell.

Oxford skipper Rupert Evans picked up 4-17 with his off-spinners, but Bletchley were never in any danger of defeat, closing on 71-5.