Aston Rowant’s last man Chris Leaney blocked out the final two balls of the game to deny Oxford victory in their Division 2 South & West derby on Saturday.

In reply to Oxford’s total of 227-7 from 60 overs, Aston Rowant were left hanging on at 150-9.

Victory would have taken Oxford back to the top of the table, but they were thwarted after dictating much of the latter stages of the game.

Put in to bat, Oxford struggled early on as the first three batsmen fell cheaply to Rowant skipper Wes Morrick, who was to bowl through most of the innings.

Oxford, who seemed in trouble at 93-5. were indebted to their experienced league debutant Tim Sutton for turning the innings around. Sutton made an unbeaten 71 and received excellent support from Shamilal Mendis.

The latter converted what looked like being a total around the 200-mark into their challenging final score thanks to an enterprising 49 from 43 balls.

Morrick shouldered most of the Rowant attack, taking 4-75 from 26 overs.

Needing 228 for victory, Rowant, who were missing their two leading batsmen Damian Shirazi and Nick Ferraby, made a poor start with Chris Watling and Joshua Smith falling in successive balls from Joe Ewen.

With Richard Cook being run out by Vishane Perera and debutant Tom Condon falling for a duck, the visitors slipped to 60-4.

Opener Tim Morgan held the early part of the innings together with 56, but when he was sixth out at 104, victory was out of the question.

With their left-arm spinner Francois Vainker, who took 13 wickets for Oxfordshire in midweek having a rare unsuccessful day, Oxford replied on Mendis and Tom Godsell to cause a late Rowant collapse.

Morrick made 38 off 40 balls before being ninth out in the final over bowled by Mendis – the third batsman to fall with the total at 150.

But Leaney survived to earn his side a draw.

Mendis completed a fine all-round personal match by taking 3-46 from his 20 overs of spin.