Oxford UCCE tie with Cambridge to ensure thrilling Inter UCCE finsh

16 June 2008

Oxford UCCE and Cambridge UCCE played out a draw in their Inter UCCE fixture at the Parks with both sides putting in an impressive batting performance. No result could be garnered from the First Innings, but based on their respective performances Oxford gained 13 points from the game and Cambridge 12. This means that the two sides sit level with Loughborough on 45 points at the top of the Inter UCCE table in their quest for a place at Lords on Monday 30th June.

Oxford UCCE won the toss and elected to bat, but endured a difficult start as Oxford Blues captain Oli Sadler (7) fell with only 14 runs on the board to the bowling of in-form Amin (4-88). Cambridge made life even trickier by taking the wicket of Robin Lett (10) as Ansari caught off the bowling of Ashok to put Oxford precariously on 24 for 2. Stability was gained through the partnership of Hooper and Young (68) who added 125 runs to Oxford's total befroe Young was run out. Bradshaw (30) and Kalam (48) both made useful contributions to the Oxford cause but it was Hooper that was to prove Oxford's main salvation, notching up 117 runs before finally being caught by Hemingway off the bowling of Liam O'Driscoll. Oxford eventually finished up their innings on 342 all out.

In response, there was a similarly tough start for Cambridge as Ed Morse took the prize wicket of the in-form Akbar Ansar for a duck to leave the away side straggling on 0 for 1. A mini revival was gained through the partnership of Timms (11) and Bott before Ryan dismissed Timms. However, it was Jogia that brought Cambridge back into the game with an impressive hit, adding 112 runs to their total. E C Ballard's half century also helped Cambridge's cause (51) and despite some resilient bowling from the Oxford UCCE side with Morse (2-60) and Ryan (4-97), Cambridge held out, batting for 94 overs to force the draw.

All will now come down to the wire with this weekend's game, as Oxford UCCE travel away to Loughborough UCCE for a two day tie to seal their final position on 21st-22nd June.

Jamie Brooks.
Assistant Sports Administrator
Oxford University