2004 Match Report

To finish the season, teams representing Town and Gown competed for the first time for The Upton Trophy, a magnificent 100 year-old silver cup originally owned by the long since defunct Oxford City Cricket Club.

Gown batted first and, following 2 stoppages for rain which reduced both innings to 47 overs, Knappett (65) and Hole (on the Parks groundstaff) with 64 not out off only 50 balls set a demanding target for the Town side.

Town (ie Oxford Cricket Club) looked likely winners at one stage when 221-5 with 5.4 overs left, but they failed in the end by just 13 runs, thanks to 2 splendid catches by Huddleston (the University Cricket Administrator).

Following their easy win in the 1 Day Varsity Match at Lords, the Dark Blues achieved another crushing victory over Cambridge in the 4 Day Varsity Match in the Parks, with a day to spare.

The result was almost identical to last year's triumph at Fenners when the Dark Blues won by an Innings and 71 runs, again with a day to spare.

Batting first, Cambridge were indebted to Marshall (98) in their modest score of 174 all out, with Munday taking 4-36.

Oxford then put the Cambridge bowling to the sword, spearheaded by Sayers with a chanceless 147, followed later by a dominating 6th wicket partnership of 168 between Fox (104 on his 1st Class debut), and skipper McMahon who was agonisingly out when 1 run short of his maiden 1st Class century.

Oxford declared overnight at the end of Day 2 , and then proceeded to make regular inroads in to the Cambridge 2nd Innings with McMahon finishing with 4-68.

The turning point was perhaps the running out of Marshall with an excellent direct hit on the stumps by Wyatt from mid-wicket.

It is interesting to note that 15 of the 20 Cambridge wickets to fall were claimed by the trio of Oxford spinners - much the same as at Fenners last year.

So ends a highly successful season for Oxford with the Blues comprehensively beating Cambridge in both the 1 Day and 4 Day Varsity Matches, and the UCCE side beating Loughborough twice to claim the UCCE Championship and the 1 Day UCCE Challenge Final at Lords.

It was then the turn of the Oxford UCCE side to play at Lords in the UCCE Challenge Final against Loughborough UCCE.

Loughborough set a formidable target when batting first, with only McMahon (1-32 from his 10 overs) keeping the batsmen under relative control.

Oxford took up the challenge, and were always close to the required run rate.

Again it was Sayers (98) who, together with Parker (57) , set the platform for a nail-biting finish, for when the 8th wicket fell ,18 runs were still required off 10 balls.

Cometh the hour - cometh Suman, who proceeded to smash 20 runs off 7 balls with the winning hit being a 6 which disappeared in the direction of the adjoining Nursery ground, giving Oxford victory with just 3 balls remaining.

Oxford therefore collected their second trophy in 2 days at Lords.

Oxford recorded their 4th victory in a row since the 1 Day Annual Challenge was moved to Lords.

Cambridge started well enough, and at one stage looked like setting the Dark Blues a testing target when they reached 201-4 with 6 overs remaining.

Their Innings was then ripped apart by Gerard who took 5 wickets in 12 balls for 1 run in a devasting spell to finish with 5-29.

Oxford were always in control when batting, with Sayers giving a superb display with 144 not out from just 127 balls, including 14 fours and 6 sixes.

He was ably supported by Fox (38 not out), a comfortable victory coming with 6.5 overs to spare.

In their last outing before taking on Cambridge at Lords, the Blues were given a testing time by a strong M.C.C. side, who scored at the rate of more than 5 runs an over in their 1st Innings before declaring.

Apart from Hawinkels (88), the Oxford batsmen were disappointing in their reply.

M.C.C. did not enforce the follow-on, and scored a further quick fire 178 before declaring again, setting the Blues a daunting 337 to win.

Unfortunately, heavy rain prevented any play on the 3rd day, so the match was abandoned as a draw.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Oxford finished top of the UCCE Championship table for the first time by the narrowest of margins.

Oxford and Loughborough both finished with 78 points, but Oxford claimed the title by virtue of their victory over Loughborough the previous week.

Oxford started badly against Bradford / Leeds, but resolute batting from Fox (63), McMahon (62) and Airey (51) posted a challenging total.

Bradford / Leeds, always the whipping boys in past years, looked like heading for victory when they were271-4, until skipper McMahon produced a remarkable spell of 4 wickets for no runs in 15 balls (all clean bowled) to claim a win on 1st Innings by just 4 runs

In a frantic run chase, Oxford scored 102 in their 2nd Innings in only 12.0 overs to claim the extra vital point needed.

Oxford took 19 points to Bradford / Leeds 9 points.

Oxford now meet Loughborough in the 1 Day UCCE Challenge Final at Lords next Friday.

The Blues fared better better in the second encounter with the Combined Services, with Selvey-Clinton (42) and Fox (90) putting on 110 for the first wicket.

However, their score of 188 was not quite enough as the visitors achieved victory with just 9 balls to spare.

In the first of 2 back to back matches against Combined Services the Blues were disappointing.

After dismissing the visitors for a modest 172 inside the available 50 overs, the Blues batting let them down, with only Upadhyay (47) making a decent score.

Oxford UCCE gained a first win over Loughborough in convincing fashion thanks to Anwar (134), Parker (57) and Fox (56), despite a collapse which saw their last 5 wickets fall for only 7 runs.

However, Loughborough fared even worse, and at one stage were94-9, but then frustrated Oxford by adding a further 92 runs in 35.0 overs for the last wicket. Richards took 4-17 for Oxford.

This comprehensive victory gave Oxford 18 points to Loughborough's 6 points, and took them to the top of the UCCE Championship table, with just one round of matches left to play.

Oxford's final opponents are Bradford / Leeds UCCE at Marston next Saturday and Sunday.

Fox (77) and Dalrymple (78 not out) were the main contributors in Oxford's 1st Innings total.

In reply, a savage onslaught towards the end of the MCC-YC Innings was provided by Darren Sammy, who figured in an unbroken 8th wicket stand of 62 in only 3.4 overs, his contribution being 46 off of only 16 balls.

Immediately after the match, Sammy joined up with the touring West Indies 1 day squad for the forthcoming triangular series with England and New Zealand. It will be interesting to follow his progress.

Upadhyay (86) and Stearn (56) both batted well in Oxford's 2nd Innings.

A beautiful sunny evening, and the largest number of spectators seen in the Parks for many years, witnessed a thrilling contest in the new style 20 overs per side match, complete with coloured clothing and equipment, not forgetting the musical accompaniment for every boundary and wicket taken.

With runs flowing and wickets falling with gay abandon, the Students did well to reach 137 in their 20 overs, having been 63-5 at one stage, Chorlton top-scoring with 35 runs.

The County relied on Crosby (50 in 39 balls) to give them a flying start, but were then pegged back by the Students.

The result of the match hinged on Oxfordshire needing 2 off the last ball of the match to win, which they achieved amidst great excitement.

This new style fixture has to be a "must" for next season.

Oxford gave possibly their worst performance of the season and, as a result, will not feature in this season's Semi-Final of the BUSA Championship.

Oxford conceded 38 runs in wides and no-balls in the visitors' formidable total.

In reply, only Parker with 51 batted with any assurance, but even he could not prevent Oxford capitulating within 37.3 overs to be well beaten.

Cardiff performed better in the following UCCE fixture, giving a testing target for Oxford when they batted on the second day. Munday (5-54) was the pick of the Oxford bowlers during Cardiff's Innings.

Oxford's Innings started disasterously with 3 wickets down for only 32 runs.

Then a magnificent stand of 275 in 52 overs for the 4th wicket between Parker (155 not out - again!) and Howard (161) ensured Oxford took 18 points to Cardiff's 6 points for a win on first Innings

Rain before the start reduced the overs to 43.0 per side.

Oxford achieved a reasonable score thanks to Parker (109 not out) and Anwar (36), the only Oxford batsmen to reach double figures.

Cardiff never looked like reaching their target with Richards (4-31) being the main wicket taker for Oxford.

This year's Harlequins side were all "Old Boys" from recent years.

Batting first, the current Blues posted a challenging total before declaring with Upadhyay (43) and Stearn (45) top scoring.

Harlequins took up the challenge with Floyd (47) and Byrne (48) contributing well.

Stumps were drawn with Harlequins last pair at the crease and within 7 runs of the Oxford score.

Oxford gained ample revenge for the previous day's defeat.

After reaching 60 without loss in their 1st Innings, Cambridge collapsed, losing their first 7 wickets for a further 19 runs, finding no answer to the spin of Munday (5-52) and McMahon (3-26).

Chasing 123, Selvey-Clinton (69) and Parker (44) gave Oxford a good start with a 120 run partnership for 2nd wicket, but it needed Suman with 45 from only 36 balls to give Oxford a lead of 125, with 83.0 overs left to play.

Oxford could sense an Innings victory when Cambridge slumped to 86-6 in their 2nd Innings, but all credit to their tailenders who added a further 120 runs for the loss of only 1 more wicket.

However, a win on 1st Innings gave Oxford 18 points against 6 points for Cambridge.

Cambridge gained their first win over Oxford since April 2000 in all types of matches, during which time Oxford had won 7 of the 10 previous encounters.

Thanks to an aggressive 81 from Howard, ably supported by Selvey-Clinton (48), Oxford set a reasonable target.

Cambridge however were not to be denied, although they had only 10 balls to spare when passing the Oxford total.

Play had to be stopped for 10 minutes with the match only 5 overs old, when a swarm of bees hovered over the pitch, causing players to run for cover or lay flat until the bees had dispersed!

Played in the delightful grounds of Arundel Castle, the Blues batted well to set a demanding target.

Selvey-Clinton was the mainstay of the innings, ending up with his maiden century for the Blues with 124.

The host invitation side accepted the challenge, but a flurry of late wickets almost gave the Blues a victory.

The Midlands CCC side set a stiff target in this annual encounter, with Snyman, who played for Namibia against England in the recent Cricket World Cup, scoring 105.

Oxford took up the challenge from the start, with Knappett and Anwar, who both scored 85, putting on 191 for the second wicket in only 32 overs.

In an exiting finish, the winning runs were scored off the penultimate ball of the match.

The sun shone brightly on the Blues annual visit to the beautiful Wormsley ground within the Getty estate.

Having been invited to bat, the Blues set a challenging target of 209 before declaring. Sayers, taking a day off from his studies, scored a classy 105, ably supported by skipper McMahon with 50.

Whilst Capel (ex-Northants) was at the crease (scoring 79 not out from 69 balls) the host side kept up with the required run rate, and secured victory with just 2 overs remaining.

In their second BUSA match, Oxford travelled to Exmouth to play the only non UCCE side in the competition.

Exeter must have been extremely confident after dismissing Oxford for only 91 runs, but were then routed themselves for only 66 runs, never coping with Munday who took 3-4, and Suman, Hutton and McMahon who all took 2 wickets apiece.

Selvey-Clinton with just 19 runs was the top scoring batsman in the match.

Once again Oxford were thwarted by the weather.

Although Oxford were keen to play (Durham were not), the Umpires declared that the ground was unfit for play following overnight rain on both the Friday and Saturday evenings.

The UCCE side made the long journey to Durham for back to back BUSA and UCCE Championship matches, but once again, rain proved to be the victor.

In the 1 Day BUSA Championship match Oxford batted first but, after Selvey-Clinton and Hawinkels had given them a brisk start, the batting faltered, with the exception of Howard who top scored with 72 off only 96 balls.

In reply Durham had reached 91-3, with the last 6 overs being played in fine rain, when the Umpires decided to call a halt in the middle of the 26th over, stating that conditions had become dangerous.

As the match was being played undr Duckworth Lewis calculations in the event of rain, Durham were deemed to have won by 1 run.

Ironically if the final over had been completed with 2 dot balls, the result would have been a Tie!!

For the second year running the annual fixture between the Blues and the County had to be called off due to incessant rain which left parts of The Parks outfield flooded.

Fortunately the teams have another chance to do battle in a 20/20 evening game on Friday June 4th, starting at 5.30pm.

Against a strong Warwicks 2nd's side Oxford faded after a promising start with Selvey-Clinton top scoring with 41.

The visitors made short work in reaching their target of 148, with 18.2 overs to spare.

McMahon took 3 of the 4 wickets to fall for 42 runs.

In their first outing of the season, the Blues entertained Hampstead, who play in the Middlesex County League Premier Division.

Hampstead batted first and totalled a modest 159, with Clark being the pick of the Blue's bowlers with 5-34 from 9.4 overs.

Oxford's reply was disappointing. Once Hawinkels was out for 45 with the score on 88, 7 wickets fell for only 30 runs, although dogged resistance from Stearn (29) and Clark nearly snatched victory for the Blues.

It was disappointing that rain was the victor in Oxford's final match against a 1st Class County side.

Only 2.0 overs play was possible on the first daydue to rain with Kent on 9-1.

The second and third days were washed out without a ball being bowled.

The weather was kinder for the second match against Somerset 2nd's, although a slightly delayed start reduced the match to 40 overs per side. After a slow start Oxford finished on 188-6, with Parker leading the way with 71 off of only 71 balls.

Oxford's efforts in the field were well below par, with 38 runs in wides and no balls being conceded, enabling Somerset to reach the target without losing a wicket in only 21.3 overs.

In the first of two 1 Day Matches against Somerset 2nd's, only 90 minutes play was possible before heavy rain brought an end to proceedings.

The Cambridge 2nd string provided much sterner opposition in restricting Oxford to a modest total, with Selvey-Clinton top scoring with 34. In an exciting finish Cambridge hit the winning run with only 2 balls of the match remaining.

A young CCM Academy side was outplayed Oxford's 2nd string. Howard led the way with a belligerent 152 off of only 143 balls, including a 186 runs partnership for the 4th wicket with Hutton (44 not out).CCM Academy battled gamely but never looked like challenging Oxford's score, with all the Oxford bowlers taking wickets.

In their opening 1st Class fixture Oxford performed creditably against a full strength Surrey side.Chasing a formidable 1st Innings Surrey total, Anwar (82) and Knappett (45) in a 5th wicket partnership of 108, led a spirited reply. McMahon and Suman then defended stubbornly in the 2nd Innings to prevent a Surrey victory when Bad Light prevented any further play with a possible 5 overs left.

A 71 run stand for the 4th wicket between Parker (68*) and Anwar (56) was the highlight of Oxford's innings. Northants 2nd's last 9 wickets fell for only 48 runs with both Hutton and McMahon picking up 3 wickets apiece.

Oxford arrived at the County Ground, Bristol to find their opposition was the Gloucestershire 1st XI rather than their expected 2nd XI. However,Oxford performed well in the field with Suman looking impressive with figures of 2 for 18 from his 9 overs. Rain then prevented any further play after only 9.2 overs of Oxford's reply.