OXFORDSHIRE captain Ian Hawtin felt their dramatic victory over Hertfordshire was well deserved on the balance of the season.

Sunday’s 14-run success in the MCCA Trophy came after Oxon recovered from 17-4 and then defended their total of 163.

It means Oxfordshire could still reach the quarter-finals if results go their way in the final round of matches on Sunday.

And even if luck was on their side at North Mymms, Hawtin said that it had evened itself out over the campaign.

“We probably deserved that one because we could have won all four of our games in the group,” said Hawtin.

“We were in winning positions in the ones we lost to Herefordshire and Bedfordshire.

“But we are a young side and that happens. This was a good finish against Hertfordshire.

“We had to win. Now it is down to others.

“It is out of our hands.

“We have played some entertaining cricket in all four games, one way or another.”

Did Hawtin feel Oxon could defend 163?

He said: “When I was out there with Jamie Perkin, we talked about getting to 170. “That would have given us something to bowl at. We were not far below it.

“Having been 17-4, it was all credit to the way Alex Jewell and Jamie Perkin batted that we got back into it.

“We then bowled really well. They all stuck at the task.

“Chad Keegan was excellent, with Matt Taylor playing his part. The spinners then finished the job.”

Hawtin accepted Hertfordshire had played some loose shots.

But he stressed: “I think that is what pressure does to you. We kept taking wickets and they could not relax.”

The victory saw Perkin shine on his debut, while Alex Jewell and 16-year-old Matt Taylor showed promise.

Hawtin said: “Jamie came in and scored a great 48 not out. That is the beauty of the squad.

“It shows how far we have come. We are selecting from a larger squad with a lot of younger players coming through “We were missing quite a few players, but the guys who have come in this season have showed themselves to be very capable.”