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Page last updated at 22:03 GMT, Tuesday, 25 August 2009 23:03 UK

Oxfordshire title bid falls short

Cricket

Oxfordshire missed out on the chance to win their first Minor Counties Championship since 1989.

They were held to a frustrating draw by Berkshire - meaning they finished third in the Western Division.

Despite missing out on the title to Cheshire, Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin was pleased with his team.

"We've done well. We got to the semi-final of the one-day competition and now we've finished third so we've got to be pleased, Hawtin told BBC Oxford.

"It's good for Oxfordshire cricket that we're actually competing. If we go back five or six years we didn't compete. We do now, and that's got to be good all round for Oxfordshire."

Oxfordshire held a first innings lead of 72 against Berkshire at Falkland, but the home side proved more stubborn in the second innings.

They eventually set an improbable 357 to win - and, at the close, Oxfordshire had reached 77-0.

"We've made progress," said Oxon secretary Peter O'Neill. "We finished third but were in with a chance of winning the title. Overall, I think it's been a reasonably successful season for us."



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