A record stand between century-makers Graham Charlesworth and Jamie Perkin almost pulled off a miraculous victory for Oxford in their Division 1 match at Slough on Saturday.

Oxford seemed to be heading for a heavy defeat when the pair came together at 40-5 in reply to Slough’s impressive total of 289-6.

The pair started to rebuild the innings, and at tea, Oxford were 66-5 from 13 overs, with another 41 to be bowled.

Charlesworth, who hit ten fours and two sixes in his 115 not out from 127 balls, and young Perkin, with 118 from 145 balls, then added 238, a league record for the sixth wicket.

Towards the end, they scored 58 off seven overs, but the task of requiring 16 runs off the final over proved to be just out of reach.

Perkin was out in that final over, with Oxford falling just eight runs short of victory.

Slough had belied their lowly position by batting superbly after being put in.

Shaan Khan 59 and Bobby Sher added 129 for the third wicket in 32 overs.

Sher went on to score 137 off 159 balls with 17 fours as Slough finished on 289-6.

Their only bowlers to command respect were Stuart Hole and Charlesworth.

Oxford’s reply began disastrously. Both openers were soon back in the pavilion to be followed by Stewart Laudat, Jason Harrison and David Smith.

Oxford were staring down the barrel, but thanks to Charlesworth and Perkin, they almost turned the gun on Slough.