Oxfordshire are facing a heavy defeat in their final Minor Counties Championship Western Division match against Cheshire at Alderley Edge.

Oxon resume today still trailing by 13 runs in their second innings, with just two wickets in hand.

Starting yesterday on 57-3 in reply to Cheshire’s massive 460-9, Ian Hawtin’s men were made to follow on after being bowled out for just 203 in their first innings.

They showed an improvement second time around, but were hovering on the brink of defeat at 244-8 at the close.

Jamie Perkin was first to go on day two, lbw to off-spinner Danny Woods.

Jonny Cater then put on 50 for the fifth wicket with Richard West before he was caught by Danny Berry at silly point off Woods, who then removed Chad Keegan and Hawtin cheaply.

Daniel Rowe was bowled by Richard Logan, before Luke Ryan became the fifth victim for both Woods (5-52) and wicket-keeper Johnny Kettle.

West’s patient vigil came to an end when he was the last man out, lbw to Adam Syddall for 54 off 181 balls with seven fours.

Promoted to open the batting in the second innings, West went for just three, caught by Logan in the slips off Jimmy Warrington.

Alex Jewell hit 56 off just 40 balls with eight fours, before edging a Warrington delivery to Lee Dixon in the slip cordon.

Perkin then retired hurt on four, after being struck on an elbow by a Richard Wilkinson delivery.

However, Charlie Knightley and Cater enjoyed a fluent partnership, before the latter was caught behind off Wilkinson for 48 off 61 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes, to make it 178-3.

Wilkinson struck again to have Keegan caught at point by Woods, and then bowled Knightley for 70, which came off 95 balls with 13 fours.

When Watkins was bowled by Woods to leave Oxon 227-6, Perkins returned to the crease.

But Wilkinson wasn’t finished and completed a five-wicket haul by bowling Hawtin, and then having Rowe caught behind in the last over.

Scores: Cheshire 460-9, Oxfordshire 203 (R West 54, D Woods 5-52) & 244-8 (C Knightley 70, A Jewell 56, R Wilkinson 5-51).