Exeter swept aside by Oxford ladies
Having given Cardiff a sturdy thumping on Sunday of 2nd week, the Oxford University Women’s Cricket Blues could easily have become complacent facing a young and inexperienced Exeter side. However, Oxford played to their strengths on a sunny Wednesday afternoon in University Parks, disposing of their opponents in convincing fashion. Fine bowling restricted Exeter to 72 all out, before solid batting from Sarah Berman and Beth Wild saw the Blues cruise past their target without losing a wicket.
Having invited Exeter to bat, Oxford produced some tight bowling and sharp fielding to pile pressure onto their opponents. Used to playing on the Marston pitch, the Blues initially found it hard to adjust to the Parks, bowling a number of loose deliveries, but Exeter failed to take advantage. However, the bowlers soon hit their rhythm, and their superiority over a weak Exeter batting line-up soon became apparent.
Natalie Wells and Anne Gilbert mowed down the Exeter upper order with a fine assortment of deliveries. Exeter’s innings regained some momentum as Amy Rogers took the game to Oxford, smashing a number of boundaries. Wells stuck to her task admirably however, and had Rogers caught several overs later. Oxford introduced Annie Riccio into the attack, and she immediately took two wickets. Exeter’s tail crumbled, leaving them all out for a meager 72.
Oxford were bullish in their pursuit, Sarah Berman and Beth Wild forming an unbroken opening stand of 73 to guide Oxford home. Berman found gaps in the field at will, while Wild showed no mercy to some loose Exeter bowling. Oxford were aided by some slack fielding from Exeter, who conceded a number of extras, mostly through wides. It took just 10 overs for Oxford to prevail, Wild finishing on 29 not out, and Berman 16 not out.
Exeter may have been missing a few of their better players, but this was an impressive display from Oxford. They were calm and efficient in dispatching their weak opponents, and this performance bodes well for the season ahead. The ladies face Exeter again in two week’s time.
11th May 2006