Blues in last delivery drama
Rob Devey and Heather Lang look back at a thrilling climax to the cricket season.
CAMBRIDGE STOLE VICTORY from the jaws of defeat to claim the one-day Johnson Fry Trophy in the Parks at the end of last term.
Their two-wicket victory, secured off the last ball of the match, left Oxford captain Tom Hicks contemplating what might have been: "We're all bitterly disappointed," he said.
"But at least I can say it was one of the best games I've ever been involved in.
"Cambridge needed six runs an over at one stage and it could have gone either way."
Batting first, Oxford recovered from the early loss of Richard Smalley, lbw to Sheikh for 7, with Claughton and Millar putting on 90 for the second wicket.
But then Claughton (39) was run-out, and Millar (42) and Byrne (9) were both bowled by Pimlott, as 108-1 quickly became 129-4.
The Blues had James Redmayne's unbeaten 50 and Weenink (43) to thank for averting total collapse, reaching a respectable 233-9 off the 50 overs, despite a net contribution of just 12 from the last five batsmen
It was anyone's game, and remained finely balanced throughout the Cambridge innings, the pendulum swinging one way and then the other.
Steady if unspectacular bowling reduced the visitors to 112-4, the Oxford bowlers sharing the wickets around to put their side's noses in front.
Strong mid-order batting from Collins (41) and Sayers (33) kept Cambridge's hopes alive, but three quick wickets saw them slump to 186-7, and Dark Blue glory beckoned.
The Cambridge lower order remained focused however, and showed real grit, hitting out to give themselves a chance.
Birks (13) was the only other wicket to fall, stumped by Smalley off the bowling of Hicks, but Pimlett (12no) was no less adept in partnering Danson (17no) at the crease.
The pair rode their luck in steering their side home, and it went right down to the wire, the winning run arriving off the final ball of a nail-biting last over, as Cambridge claimed a famous two-wicket victory.
In stark contrast, Oxford's women staged an unbelievable fight-back to win their match in equally dramatic fashion, and also had to wait until the last delivery to discover their fate.
After winning the toss, Oxford decided to bat first. A solid start by captain Katie Matthews and Sally Auld saw the score reach 46 for no loss off 17 overs before Matthews was bowled, bringing Felicity Allen to the crease. She began confidently, hitting a four off the first delivery she faced, and making 15 off 22 balls before being caught in the covers.
The next two wickets fell cheaply; especially disappointing for Hannah Brooks who had made 56 against the MCC. Auld continued to marshal proceedings, top-scoring with 30 runs before losing her wicket, with Oxford on 94-5.
Gemma Figtree (18) and Heather Lang steadied the ship, with Figtree hitting most of the runs. But the partnership was broken when Lang ran herself out after pulling a muscle.
Rosy Hughes and Danielle Sampson displayed stubborn resistance, and last man Penny Dain smashed 7 off 11 balls. This left Oxford with a total of 129 all out off 49 overs.
Cambridge initially got off to a flier, but pace bowler Figtree and spinner Auld removed the openers by the time of the first drinks break. A barren spell followed for the Oxford bowlers, the Cambridge total ticking along nicely until Auld struck again in the first over of her second spell.
Fast bowler Jenny Williams then claimed the scalp of top-scorer Andrews (43) caught behind by wicket-keeper Matthews.
This left Cambridge on 100-4 off 35 overs, and they were restricted to one run per over while Auld and Williams completed their bowling spells in impressive style.
The introduction of Felicity Allen to the bowling attack paid dividends when her tight line was rewarded by another wicket.
The Cambridge batsmen now required only six runs from four overs to tie the score, and win by virtue of having lost fewer wickets. But Oxford exploited their opponents' desire to finish the match off as quickly as possible, and sharp fielding resulted in two run-outs in quick succession.
The tension mounted as everything came down to the final two overs. By this time Cambridge only requiring a single run to level the scores. Polly Few held her nerve with a wicket-maiden, and then Allen stepped up to bowl the final over.
Every dot ball was cheered by the increasingly vocal home crowd as she frustrated the Cambridge batsmen. Five loud cheers later, the last ball of the match resulted in a run-out, and the Oxford celebrations began.
5th Oct 2000