Oxfordshire's Western Division clash against Herefordshire at Luctonians CC, near Leominster, looked to be heading for a draw following a rain-affected second day.

With 38 overs play lost, Oxon ended the day 40 runs adrift with nine second-innings wickets in hand.

After a half-hour delay due to light showers, Herefordshire, resuming on 220-4 in reply to Oxon's 254 all out, took their first-innings score to 362 all out for a lead of 108.

Oxon then reached 68-1 in their second innings before rain washed out play after the tea interval.

Ryan Newhook (pictured), in his Oxfordshire comeback game after missing last season through injury, made the breakthrough yesterday.

Duncan Willetts turned a delivery from the Bourton Vale seamer to Chris Smith at short square leg with the score on 237.

Newhook struck again when Henry Langford, whose previous best Championship score was 36, fell agonisingly short of a century when he pulled a ball on to his stumps for 98.

Jamie Hewitt, whose first two overs on Sunday had been smashed for 38, then trapped Ashley Nahorniak lbw for 44 to make it 303-7.

And Herefordshire lost their eighth wicket on the same score when left-arm spinner Jimmy Phillips had Jabran Khalid caught at first slip by Craig Haupt.

Hewitt, who conceded just 22 from his 13 overs yeaterday, then trapped Peter Scott lbw, and Phillips finally finished Herefordshire off by bowling Owen Price for 44.

With the pitch continuing to play well, Oxon reached 33 in their second innings before Simon Hole was caught at first slip by Ian Thomas off Price's off-spin.

Hewitt was then promoted up the order in a move which seemed to be aimed at boosting the run rate.

He survived a chance to Jabran Khalid at mid-wicket when on eight, before helping Smith take Oxfordshire to 68-1 at tea when the heavens opened.

With so much play having been lost yesterday, it appears that it will take something dramatic today for either side to force a result.

Herefordshire 8pts, Oxon 6.