COUNTY CRICKET: WILTSHIRE put on a much improved performance against second placed Oxfordshire in their Minor Counties Championship match at Thame on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

After two successive defeats, Wiltshire played well and dominated the match, narrowly failing to make the final two wickets which would have given them victory.

Wiltshire won the toss and a good stand of 120 for the second wicket between Russell Rowe (88) and Chris Budd (77) set them on their way, and Chippenham's Baqar Rizvi with 46 ensured three batting points and a total of 312.

Wiltshire spinners, Richard Bates (seven for 112) and Jason Searle (two for 80) ensured Wiltshire had a lead of 27 when Oxfordshire were all out for 285.

Wiltshire were all out for 206 in their second innings, with Chris Budd scoring 53 and Corsham's Neil Shardlow 40, leaving Oxfordshire a target of 234 to win.

The spinners again dominated the innings, with Bates taking four for 37 and Searle two for 50 and, with opening bowler Kevin Nash taking two for 24, Oxford finished at 123 for eight wickets and the match ended as a draw.

Points: Wiltshire 11, Oxfordshire 10.

Wiltshire's next Minor Counties Championship match is on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday against Berkshire at Reading Cricket Club.

Wiltshire match manager Brian White said: "It was a good performance on a slow turning wicket.

"We had 20 minutes or so bowling at Oxfordshire's eighth wicket pair, but unfortunately could not make the final breakthrough."

Squad: Russell Rowe (South Wilts) (captain), Kevin Blackburn (Clifton/Optimists), Chris Budd (Thornbury), Mark Coxon (Corsham), Richard Bates (Chippenham), Baqar Rizvi (Chippenham), James Hibberd (Calmore Sports), Paul Bates (Chippenham), Neil Shardlow (Corsham), Jason Searle (Chippenham), Kevin Nash (Bashley), Craig Gibbens (Corsham).