Tabs get second thrashing
Sally AuldOxford began their BUSA campaign with a solid victory over Cambridge on Sunday, 7th May. On the back of a varsity victory at Fenners last June, Oxford were undeniably favourites to defeat Cambridge in their first match of the preliminary round of BUSA Women's Cricket. Captained by Katie Matthews (Keble), the OUWCC 1st XI for 2000 is a talented mix of experience and new blood.
Oxford won the toss and decided to bat. The Oxford openers, Katie Matthews and Sally Auld (Nuffield) batted steadily to make 33 runs before Matthews was bowled out. Junior county player Felicity Allen (Jesus) was next to the crease. She played some stylish and powerful attacking shots to make a quick 28 before losing her wicket to Cambridge bowler Rachel Cowans. At 89/2, Oxford were in a strong position to score a defendable total.
Unfortunately, the next three wickets fell cheaply; however, undisciplined bowling by the Cambridge attack and lax fielding saw 47 in extras added to the Oxford total.
The last five overs of the Oxford innings saw some powerful hitting by Jenny Williams (Wadham) and opener Auld to see Oxford amass a total of 167/5 (from 40 overs) at the end of the innings. Auld hit a determined 55 which anchored the Oxford innings and a quick 18 by Williams provided a crucial addition to the Oxford total.
In response, the Cambridge innings began well with the openers, Cowans and Henshaw, scoring a first wicket partnership of 99 despite accurate bowling by Williams and Catherine Gough (St Hildas).
Gough was unlucky not to pick up a couple of wickets; a probing spell of 8 overs saw a number of difficult chances go begging. Eventually, off spinner Auld scored the breakthrough, removing Henshaw for 42. This provided the impetus for Oxford to increase the pressure on Cambridge; tight fielding and two spectacular catches by Penny Dain (Merton) and Jenny Williams saw the Cambridge innings begin to crumble. With Cambridge now needing 9 runs an over to win, clever captaincy by Matthews and a 100% effort by Oxford in the field clinched the victory.
Williams was perhaps the pick of the Oxford bowlers, finishing with figures of 8-0-14-1. Good support was provided by fellow opener Gough, Polly Few (St Johns) and Sally Auld.
It was an excellent team performance by Oxford to deny Cambridge victory yet again. With such a good start to the season, OUWCC appear well positioned for a successful 2000.
4th May 2000