Jack Potter was still looking on the bright side of his new life as Oxfordshire coach - despite watching his side slip to their fifth defeat in six matches this season at Challow yesterday.

Oxon went down by 200 runs to Cheshire before lunch on the final day of their second Minor Counties Championship game of the season.

Rob Williams's courageous batting was in vain

In the first - against Shropshire at Thame last month - Oxon lost by 126 runs.

"There were some good things that happened out there," said Potter. "Charlie Knightley got his first runs of the year and showed glimpses of the form which make him such an exciting player.

"Our bowlers showed control for the opening overs of their second innings - in fact, it was the best we have bowled all season.

"Ian Hawtin kept wicket well and Rob Williams batted courageously in both innings - but in general the whole thing was very disappointing.

"Our batsmen need to follow the basics of letting good balls go and waiting for the right moment to use your core shots.

"The three-day game is different from the usual 50-over game, and the players have to learn how to build an innings.

"We also have to be honest - we don't have a top-class seamer at this level, so we have to bowl tighter and create pressure to get people out."

But Potter was encouraged by the morale in the camp.

"The team are still very positive, and I like that" he said. "But it has got to get better.

"It is at the stage now where players will get picked on performances and not on reputations. Places are definitely up for grabs."

Oxfordshire resumed their second innings yesterday needing an improbable 305 runs for victory with six wickets in hand.

Six wickets soon became five when Mike Bellhouse fell to former Hampshire seamer Simon Renshaw, and thereafter it was fairly processional stuff.

Knightley provided some resistance, hitting 11 fours in his 54. He received support from spinner Paul Jeacock, who made his highest Championship score of 14 as the pair put on 42 for the eighth wicket.

CHESHIRE

1st Innings: 313 (N Wood 83, A Hall 70).

2nd Innings: 172-2 dec (N Wood 57).

OXFORDSHIRE

1st Innings: 151 (R Williams 35, S Renshaw 5-59).

2nd Innings

(Overnight 30-4)

C Knightley b Cross...54

M Bellhouse c Bramhall b Renshaw...3

S Miller b Cross...8

G Peddy c Bramhall b Lamb...0

P Jeacock lbw Renshaw...14

S Laudat c Renshaw b Cross...7

I Adams not out...4

Extras...26

Total (all out, 36.3 ovs)...134

Fall: 5-37, 6-62, 7-62, 8-104, 9-130.

Bowling: Renshaw 15.3-3-45-4, Lamb 13-5-42-4, Cross 8-1-31-2.

*Oxon 4pts, Cheshire 23