Oxford were agonisingly held to a draw by High Wycombe on Saturday - the visitors' last pair batting out the final ten overs to avoid defeat in Home Counties Premier League Division 1.

Chasing a victory target of 217, Wycombe were deep in the mire on 130-9 with eight overs remaining.

However, a captain's innings from Keith Newell (39no) saw Wycombe hold on, despite Oxford getting in two extra overs.

Oxford's decision to bat first looked to have been the wrong one as they lost the early wickets of Jason Harrison, Adam Cook and Stuart Laudat to leave them 6-3.

A partnership of 75 between Rajiv Sharma and Joe Porter was crucial, before Sharma was out lbw to Matt Gitsham in the 29th over and Ian Crosby went the same way two balls later as Oxford reached 89-5.

After lunch, Porter and Graham Charlesworth (66) shared a partnership of 117, before Charlesworth was stumped off the bowling of Chris Sketchley.

Porter was then run out for a superb 88 and Oxford slumped to 217 all out - having lost their last five wickets for 19 runs.

In reply, Pat Fallis and Matt Eyles put on 57 for the first wicket, before Eyles was caught behind off the bowling of Rajiv Sharma and Greg Pooley edged one to slip off Jack Brooks.

The introduction of Francois Vainker into the attack proved inspired as he took a wicket in his first over, bowling Paul Sawyer.

Vainker went on to take 4-24 off 15 overs, before Brooks came back into the attack.

He removed Sketchley and Daniel Senior in quick succession to leave Wycombe on the brink, but Oxford could not find the final breakthrough they needed for victory.