OUCC Multi-Day Varsity Match Reports
In their final matches of the season, both the OUCC Men's Blues and Authentics played Cambridge in their 4- and 3-day Varsity matches respectively at the beginning of July.
In the Blues match at Fenner's, Oxford were put into bat on the hottest day of the year, duly cashing in on a flat pitch to reach 101-0 at lunch. The opening batters continued after the break, with Henry Nicholls approaching his century before heartbreakingly being dismissed for 99 on the day he received his Blue. A flurry of wickets followed, with the Blues then reduced to 227-5 - bringing Saqlain Choudhary to the crease with opener Max Kirkby. In the final hour of the day, opener Kirkby reached his maiden OUCC century off 283 balls to leave Oxford 285-5 overnight.
Returning the following day, Choudhary and Kirkby continued to pile on the runs. Choudhary upped the run rate and reached a swashbuckling century with a quick flurry of boundaries. Shortly after, both Kirkby and Choudhary were removed for a well-made 146 and 113 respectively. The Cambridge spinners bowled well to run through the Oxford lower order, with a cameo of 40 from Robbie Hardwick ensuring the Blues reached 450 all out. In reply, Oxford looked for early wickets but were frustrated by good batting from the Cambridge top 3. The Cambridge batters scored quickly to reach 232/3 overnight, with the game finely poised.
On the 3rd day, the Men's Blues continued their hunt for wickets and were rewarded just before lunch with a few quick wickets from Saqlain Choudhary and Chris Carnegie. However, the Oxford fielding side couldn't capitalise and the Cambridge tail wagged to achieve parity and finish their innings on 457/9 (dec). This left the Oxford batters a tricky period to negotiate before tea, which they did ably. The openers then pushed on through the evening session against a tired attack to reach the close of play without loss. Resuming the following morning, the opening pair continued their fine form from the game. Sadly, Nicholls was again cruelly dismissed before his milestone, being adjudged LBW for 96. Kirkby notched up his second hundred of the game and together with Amogh Karpe (49) pushed the run rate along. Kirkby was eventually dismissed for 176, to finish a remarkable match for the Oxford opener (facing 637 balls in the match - equivalent to a whole day's play). The Oxford batters then looked to push the rate along for a declaration, which came at 405/5.
Looking to take early wickets, captain Justin Clarke was the man again - removing the Cambridge opener with an excellent delivery. However, the game looked to be petering out to a draw, before Chris Carnegie (3-58) took a few quick wickets to give the Oxford side hope. Unfortunately, however there was not enough time in the game to force a result, with Cambridge finishing 183/6 - well adrift of their target. Everyone in the Men's Blues would like to thank all the coaches and volunteers that have supported the side this year, particularly Graham Charlesworth and Mark Williams. We also wish leaving players, Justin Clarke and Chris Mingard well for the next stages of their journey. Both players have contributed incredibly for OUCC over the past decade, achieving 9 Blues between them.
The Authentics similarly took on Cambridge at the Parks, and were also put into bat by the Cambridge captain. Oxford reached 66-0 before the fall of the first wicket, Harry Waugh, for 44. The other opener Schofield continued to bat well and the Tics reached lunch 2 down. Schofield continued on to get 75, despite wickets falling from the other end he was supported well by Timon Basu (53) and Henry Kay (32). The Oxford innings finished on a very respectable 269 all out, leaving Cambridge an hour's batting on the first evening. The opening bowler Henry Kay duly picked up a couple of wickets in the evening to leave Cambridge 2 down overnight.
The following morning, Cambridge put together a couple of partnerships before wickets from Timon Basu and Adam Hassan (14-9-3-14) tore through the middle order. Sneddon, Douglas and Marriage chipped in with one wicket apiece to finish the Cambridge innings for 168, giving Oxford a healthy lead. The Authentics then looked to bat Cambridge out of the game, which opener Harry Waugh and number 4 Tom Douglas took to. Harry Waugh brought up a stunning century on the morning of Day 3. Captain Mikyle Ossman also piled on the runs, before selflessly declaring on 79* to set Cambridge a difficult chase on the final day.
This chase became even more difficult when the opening spell from William Marriage left Cambridge 14-2. It was clear that Cambridge would have to bat for the draw on the final day, but Sneddon had other ideas, removing their Number 4. Adam Hassan and William Marriage then set about trying to take another 7 wickets, consistently chipping away at the Cambridge line-up. However, this didn't look likely until 4 quick wickets from Hassan left Cambridge 9 down with 8 overs left to bat. Unfortunately, despite several close chances and appeals, the Authentics couldn't quite get over the line. This was, however, a great advert for Authentics cricket and the match was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
