Bicester and North Oxford 2nd's batting took a turn for the better as a half-century from Martin Middleton helped them to 224-7 at Cropredy after the home team had invited them to bat first.

An unbeaten 51 from Peter Cooling then raised Cropredy spirits, but three wickets apiece from Dave Clark and Andrew Wingfield Digby dashed their hopes and they settled for the draw on 188-8.

*Cropredy 5, Bicester & N Oxford 2nd 18