Nathan Hawkes and Luke Ryan played starring roles as Oxfordshire began their Minor Counties Trophy campaign with a thrilling four-run victory over Dorset at Challow & Childrey.

Hawkes's magnificent century at more than a run a ball and Ryan's five-wicket haul saw Oxon make the perfect start against last seasons Minor Counties champions.

Winning the toss, Dorset inserted Oxon on a very dry pitch.

And early on, that decision seemed to be a good one as Oxon lost opener Alex Jewell for a second-ball duck and Craig Haupt for 11.

But Dorset's joy proved short-lived as Richard Kaufman and Hawkes tucked into Dorset's bowling attack, reaching 100 in the 12th over.

There was little assistance to the seam bowlers throughout the day on a pitch more akin to midsummer than so early in the season.

In fact, Dorset had so little to offer in the seam department that the vast majority of their overs were bowled by the spinners.

Hawkes played some sublime shots on his way to a magnificent 140, his innings including 16 fours and three sixes.

He shared a third-wicket stand of 167 with Kaufman, and at 196-3 in the 31st over, a score well in excess of 300 looked on the cards.

Kaufman's innings contained nine fours and a six, but unusually for the dashing opener, he was outscored by Hawkes.

When Kaufman fell, Hawkes and Shabaz Ali shared 40 for the fourth wicket, before the visitors hauled themselves back into the game.

Ali fell to Jack Leach, then Lloyd Sabin quickly followed for a duck.

Daniel Rowe scored 13, but worrying for Oxon, suffered a nasty looking injury as he twisted a knee on turning.

He batted on with a runner, but was clearly inhibited by the injury and after getting out, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and played no further part in the game.

Late wickets, including a couple of run-outs, prevented Oxon passing 300, but 293 all out appeared a competitive total.

Without Rowe, who would have opened the bowling for Oxon, skipper Ian Hawtin had a considerable amount of juggling of bowlers in Dorset's reply.

And the visitors got off to a flying start.

Nick Park and Chris Morgan shared 52 in just six overs for the first wicket, before the introduction of Ryan turned the screw.

The left-arm Banbury spinner was superb, varying his flight and speed with great expertise.

He took two wickets in his first over, both bowled, and looked threatening with every delivery.

It was not a day for the seamers, and Hawtin also turned to occasional spinners Kaufman and Sabin at various stages throughout the innings.

But Dorset looked well on course at 181-3 in the 31st over.

Opener Nick Park looked set to carry his bat and lead Dorset to victory before a magical piece of fielding from 12th man Joe Harris, on for Rowe throughout.

The ball was run down to Harris at short third man, and he proceeded to return a superb throw over the stumps, leaving Park short of his ground.

It was to prove a crucial moment as Dorset fell behind the rate after this point.

Kaufman trapped Darren Cowley lbw soon after, while Ryan, returning for a third spell, claimed his fifth wicket as he superb claimed a return catch from Tom Hicks.

A couple of huge sixes from Mitch Wilson kept Dorset just in touch, but Hawkes held his nerve in the final over with the visitors needing ten to win as Oxon just did enough to defend their total.