Bryan's century not enough for Harspden

HARPSDEN faced up to the tough challenge of an OXFORD UNI. XI on Sunday, and with fine weather and good players on both sides, a great match was on the cards. The students won the toss and chose to bat, leaving Harspden a hot session in the field. Oxford started well, progressing to 27 before the loss of the first wicket, and after a mini collapse to 65 for 6, the innings hung in the balance. Up stepped Horatio Cary, batting well and aggressively against the bowling of his brother Alfred, who with prodigious spin, took 3 for 35. Horatio finally fell for 47, leaving the students at 158 for 8. Strong hitting from Southan and no. 11 Ashmore got Oxford up to a challenging total of 181, just before tea.

Harpsden came out after tea and were stunned by the bowling of Southan, who started with a wicket maiden and followed it up with a double wicket maiden. This left Harpsden on 7 for 3 and some serious rebuilding was required. Tom Sampson occupied the crease and played a great supporting role to the undoubtable man of the match, Andy Bryan, who batted through the innings, finishing unbeaten on 110. At 94 for 4, a Harpsden win looked possible but tight bowling from Dark Blues opening bowler Ed Morse, and Will Stevens, dispelled those thoughts. The game finished as a exciting draw with Harpsden on 174 for 5 at the close of play.

Oxford Uni. XI

Morse LBW, b. Williams 14
W.Stevens b. Hancock 6
Schneider b. A.Cary 11
Furniss c. Norton, b. A.Cary 5
Lough b. Sampson 3
H. Cary c. R.Birkett, b. T.Hancock 47
Miller RUN OUT 4
Southan b. Williams 33
Fortune c. T.Hancock, b. A.Cary 3
T.Stevens RUN OUT 2
Ashmore NOT OUT 14
Extras 39
Total (all out) 181

Best Bowling: A.Cary 3-35

Harpsden

A.Bryan NOT OUT 110
M.Thomas b. Southan 0
J.Bradley b. Southan 0
M.Hodgkiss c. Morse, b. Southan 0
T.Sampson RUN OUT 17
T.Hancock c. H.Cary, b. W.Stevens 18
A.Norton NOT OUT 8
Extras 21
Total (5 wkts) 174

Best Bowling: Southan 3-19