Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin was left disappointed after their Minor Counties Western Division clash with Cheshire was abandoned as a draw on Tuesday with a full session remaining Looking to preserve their top-of-the-table spot, Cheshire showed little ambition before they were dismissed for 340 in their second innings.

This set Oxon a nominal 350 for victory with little more than 35 overs left to bowl.

The captains decided there was no point continuing at the tea interval with Oxfordshire on 7-0, although the official reason for the abandonment will be bad light stopped play.

Hawtin said: "I am a bit disappointed. I think they set their stall out to just bat as long as possible and bat us out of the game.

"They wanted to give us no opportunity of a chase and they were quite nervous about it, which is interest ing. "There was nothing left in the game, so we called it a day."

Although left-arm spinner Luke Ryan took 5-103 in 45.5 overs, including 13 maidens, it was never going to be enough on a flat track.

Batsmen dominated the opening two days.

On the first, Cheshire won the toss, rattled up 358-7 and then reduced third-placed Oxon to 31-2 before the close.

The visitors' strength is founded on three former Derbyshire players, Ben Spendlove, Chris Bassano and Nathan Dumelow, two of whom performed strongly.

After Oxford University skipper Ollie Sadler had gone cheaply, Spendlove scored a chanceless century and was eventually out for 120, having hit one six and 11 fours in his 203-ball stay.

The acceleration was provided by Dumelow, who hammered three sixes and five fours in his robust 69.

In the last hour of play, Oxon lost Chris Smith and Jamie Hewitt.

Charlie Knightley's century helped Oxfordshire to a secure position of parity at close of play on day two.

Knightley's 123 was his sixth championship ton and the basis for Oxon's 349-7, which left them just nine runs behind after the first innings.

Resuming on 31-2, Oxon lost Craig Haupt early on, but Knightley and Rob Williams (94) steadied the ship in style with a 160-run partnership.

Knightley went on to pass three figures in a useful 89-run stand with Dave Taylor, who made 62 off 48 balls, including three sixes.

Cheshire reached 137-3 in their second innings, a secure position which they were not prepared to throw away on the final day.