Rob Williams hit another big century as Oxfordshire completed a decent recovery by drawing their Minor Counties Championship Western Division clash with Wiltshire at Challow & Childrey yesterday.

It was hardly the most dramatic of finishes, with Wilts never getting too close to the asking rate in the final hour.

But after trailing by 112 runs on first innings, Oxon could be pleased with their efforts in the final four sessions.

Wiltshire can look back at dropping Nathan Hawkes on nought as a crucial point, with the debutant going on to reach 92, but after that the hosts always looked solid.

Resuming the second innings on 203-3, Hawkes and Williams extended their partnership to 166 before the former fell eight runs short of a century.

Richard Kaufman didn't last long, but Williams, who smashed 197 not out on his last championship visit to Challow, continued his fine form at the picturesque ground.

He compiled an unbeaten 169, which included 21 fours and a six, while captain Ian Hawtin provided good support with 49 not out.

This was Williams's eighth championship century for the county and took the hosts to a declaration position - something that looked unlikely at 76-3 the day before.

Oxon set Wiltshire 287 to win in 50 overs, so effectively it had become a one-day match.

With a required run rate of 5.74, Wiltshire's openers couldn't afford to hang around if they wanted to go for the win.

Damien Shirazi raced to his 50 off 60 balls, but Tim Morton and James Vince went cheaply, the former shouldering arms to a straight ball from the hard-working Jack Brooks.

It was 111-3 at tea after captain Richard Bedbrook was caught by Hawkes going for a reckless shot in Jamie Hewitt's first over.

The visitors had a minimum of 26 overs to score 176.

Fifteen-year-old Steve Bullen was next out, lbw to Hewitt, but Shirazi, who will join Abingdon School as director of cricket in September, rem- ained the key.

Wilts needed 124 off the final 17 overs, which was a tough task, particularly with Oxon's defensive field.

A pulled six from James Hibbert suggested some intent, and Shirazi brought up a fine century with a driven four.

But Oxon struck back when Kaufman, in his first over, had Shirazi expertly caught behind by Hawtin going for a sweep.

That was really it as far as the action was concerned, with the captains shaking on a draw three overs early.