Captaian Hawtin came to the rescue after Oxfordshire made a disastrous start on the first day of their final Western Division match against Devon at Exmouth.

The game didn't get under way until 2.15pm because of a damp outfield.

And after Devon won the toss and put Oxfordshire in, the visitors were soon in big trouble at 19-4.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals before Hawtin was joined by Banbury clubmate Ryan Newhook in an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 74 to take Oxfordshire to 173-8 at the close.

With the overcast skies favouring seam bowling, Chris Smith was the first Oxfordshire wicket to fall, trapped lbw by Trevor Anning off the fifth ball of the second over for a duck.

Oxon then lost three wickets with the score on 19.

Anning claimed his second victim when Jamie Hewitt nicked a delivery to wicket-keeper Sandy Allen.

And, four balls later, Ian Bishop got in on the act, bowling Rob Williams for a duck.

Craig Haupt became the third Oxon batsman to fall without addition to the score when he turned Bishop to Josh Bess at short fine leg five balls later.

Charlie Knightley, a century-maker for Oxon in their last game against Cheshire, was next to go, bowled by Bishop with the score on 40.

Shahbaz Ali was then adjudged lbw to Anning to leave Oxon 54-6.

Devon turned to spin and Paul James won a leg before decision against Paul McMahon.

Fellow off-spinner Adam Gribble then reduced Oxon to 99-8 when he shattered Luke Ryan's stumps.

But Hawtin and Newhook dug in to take Oxon to the close without further loss - bad light bringing an early end to play at 6.45pm, with 42.5 overs lost in the day.

Hawtin completed his ninth Championship half-century, having hit eight fours so far in his 74 not out, which spanned 126 balls.

He will be looking to add to his one previous Championship century - made against Shropshire at Challow & Childrey three years ago - today.

Newhook, meanwhile, finished unbeaten on 20, one short of his previous best Championship score.