Cambridge hit for six again
While their male counterparts were dominating the main pitch at Lord's, Oxford's women cricketers, inspired by captain Helen Smith, wrapped up an equally conclusive Varsity triumph on the Nursery Ground.
Their 97-run victory was the Dark Blues' sixth win in eight completed matches since the fixture became a limited-overs contest in 1996. After the loss of two early wickets, Annie Bowden and Smith set about laying a solid foundation for Oxford. Bowden's compact innings was characterised by a series of elegant drives, while at the other end Smith mixed delicate cuts with powerful bludgeons. Both reached 50 with cover drives for four as they capitalised on some friendly offerings from Cambridge's change bowlers.
When Bowden eventually fell for 68 the pair had added over 100 at an imposing rate, while the steady flow of boundaries had both enlivened the crowd and set Cambridge firmly on the back foot.
Abi Carter and Sarah Hill, Cambridge's opening bowlers, took pains to restrict the batsmen and brought a steady fall of wickets. Oxford were therefore delighted to pass 200 thanks to an entertaining cameo from Natalie Wells that included a spectacular six driven over cover.
In the Cambridge innings, Oxford's bowlers dictated terms from the outset. The score had reached only 17 by the tenth over, when Helen Turner secured the first wicket with a tumbling caught and bowled. The dangerous Sarah Hill was then removed first ball to give Oxford the momentum.
Ten overs later wickets again fell in consecutive balls, this time to Smith, reducing Cambridge to 45/4. Already well behind the required rate, they never recovered from these setbacks and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Turner, after an initial six over spell, finished with the highly impressive 10-4-13-3, while fellow opener Georgia Gale Grant maintained a tight line and intimidating pace in bowling her ten overs straight through.
It was Smith, the captain, however, who stole the show with two quick wickets to wrap up the match and finish with figures of 5 for 18 to add to her earlier 73, an outstanding performance. Credit should also be given to Oxford for their fielding, and especially for holding three highly droppable boundary catches.
While the match was closer than in 2003, Oxford still cruised to a comfortable victory.
6th Oct 2004