Oxford were forced to settle for a third successive draw as a five-wicket haul from veteran Rupert Evans was not enough against Tring in their Division 1 clash at Rover Cowley on Saturday.

Chris Sandbach and skipper Jason Harrison added 58 for the first wicket before Stuart Laudat hit 34 off 47 balls as Oxford got to 129-2 at lunch.

Harrison was bowled by Keith Dutch for 63, but fine knocks from Nick Ferraby (76) and Joe Porter (60no), who added 113 for the fourth wicket, helped Oxford reach 259.

Richard Hopwood and Will Jones added 74 for the first wicket before a brilliant catch by Joe Porter off Evans saw Hopwood fall.

Stuart Hole then dismissed Dutch, but at the other end, Will Jones was in top form, hitting 125 as Tring closed in on Oxford’s target.

When he fell to the Evans-Porter combination, hopes of victory had gone, but Evans went on to claim 5-57.

Evans trapped Ollie Sidwell lbw as Tring, before removing Will Jones for 125 as Oxford held on for a draw at 235-6.