JAMIE Perkin played an innings of great maturity as Oxfordshire held on for a draw in their Western Division match at Whitchurch yesterday.

The 21-year-old, who top-scored with 36 in Oxon’s first innings of 183 all out, hit a patient 69 to deny hosts Shropshire victory.

Although he was dismissed with eight overs remaining, tail-enders Matt Taylor and Jimmy Phillips held their nerve as Oxfordshire clung on at 317-9.

Needing 388 to record an unlikely victory going into the final day, Oxfordshire were soon in deep trouble.

Debutant Michael Beard fell for just one when he edged a Neil Saker delivery behind to wicket-keeper Anthony Parker.

It got no better when skipper Ian Hawtin fell for a third-ball duck as Oxon slipped to 18-2.

Richard Kaufman, however, was in inspired form and began to take the game to Shropshire’s attack.

He brought up his 50 off just 51 balls as Oxfordshire upped the run-rate.

Rob Williams was solid at the other end, but Kaufman continued to dominate.

He eventually holed out to deep cover, leaving Oxon on 89-3, his 73 runs coming off just 88 balls, with 13 fours and a six.

Williams was joined by Charlie Knightley, and the experienced duo added 82 for the fourth wicket, giving their side an outside chance of victory.

But Williams was out for 47 off 101 balls, and was soon joined back in the dressing room by Knightley, who fell one short of a half-century.

With the score on 178-5, survival was now the name of the game.

And with Perkin at the crease, Oxfordshire had a steady pair of hands.

Chad Keegan fell lbw to Saker, with Daniel Rowe falling to the same bowler as Oxon slipped from 213-5 to 213-7.

Perkin and Ashley Blanchard added 30, but at 243-8 with 27 overs remaining, their fate looked sealed.

However, Perkin and Taylor both belied their age with some sturdy defensive work, before Perkin fell for a superb 69 off 143 balls in just under three hours at the crease.

It was then left to Taylor and Phillips to bat out the last eight over to secure a draw.