Veteran off-spinner Rupert Evans put the controversy of his clash with Banbury's Craig Haupt behind him to bowl Oxford to a 22-run victory at Welwyn Garden City in Division 1.

Evans, who had hit the headlines following the flare-up in last week's Oxfordshire derby, produced excellent figures of 6-61 to keep the leaders marching on at the top.

Welwyn, promoted from Division 2 East last season, won the toss and immediately put Oxford under pressure with the early wicket of Graham Charlesworth.

Welwyn bowled superbly before lunch, picking up two more wickets with Aaron Laraman the pick of the bowlers.

After the interval, Ian Crosby and Raj Sharma played put together an excellent stand of 74.

Crosby was dismissed for 39, but Sharma continued to play fluently, completing his maiden half-century for the club.

By the close, Oxford had reached 207-7 off their 66 overs.

Welwyn started positively in reply with the in-form Oxfordshire all-rounder Jamie Hewitt looking dangerous until he was caught behind by Todd Hutcheson of Jack Brooks.

However, it was the evergreen Evans, who was the star of the show.

He came on after 12 overs and immediately picked up the key wickets of Derek Tate and Laraman.

He was well supported by left-arm spinner Francois Vainker, who picked up two wickets.

Ben Frazer kept Welwyn in the game with an excellent knock of 46 before he was trapped lbw by Evans.

With the rate now above six an over, Welwyn were unable to score freely off Evans and he picked up the final two wickets with the last two balls of his penultimate over to give Oxford a thrilling win.