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CRICKET: Oxon end on a high
12:24pm Wednesday 20th August 2008
Oxfordshire ended their Minor Counties Championship Western Division season in thriling style by defeating title-chasing Dorset in a tense finish at Dean Park, Bourne- mouth.
Resuming their second innings on 90-1, Oxon were bowled out for 206, which left Dorset 182 to win in a minimum of 35 overs.
The home county, who needed a victory to stand a chance of the title, went all out for the win, but finished 16 runs short as Oxon got home with ten balls rem- aining.
And they did it without a recognised wicketkeeper.
Charlie Knightley - himself a stand-in for injured captain Ian Hawtin - hurt a thumb in the warm-up on the last day, which meant Banbury's Craig Haupt was pressed into service and coped well.
Chris Sandbach top-scored in Oxfordshire's second innings with 48 off 157 balls, while Richard Kaufman and Ryan Newhook added useful runs. Indeed, Newhook's 26 off 96 balls was a personal best for the county and denied Dorset precious time.
Former Oxford University captain Tom Hicks finished with 5-51 off 32 overs.
Dorset made a steady start to their second innings as openers Glyn Treagus and Nick Park put on 44.
However, the introduction of 23-year-old debutant Matt Hancock, who plays for Stratford, saw wickets fall at regular intervals.
Hicks and Dan Belt looked to have swung it Dorset's way with a late stand, but off-spinner Hancock had the dangerous Belt well caught by Keith Arnold for 32 and the run chase fell just short.
Hancock, who is a schoolteacher, finished with an excellent 4-18, while Jamie Hewitt added good support with 3-38.
Your Say YourOxford
Barlow's Grampy, Banbury says...
7:27pm Wed 20 Aug 08
CD, says...
9:38pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Big Dave, says...
9:52pm Wed 20 Aug 08
black socks, says...
11:42pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Colpack, TBC says...
1:24pm Thu 21 Aug 08
Oxfordshire Supporter, says...
3:23pm Thu 21 Aug 08
Barlow, says...
10:17pm Fri 22 Aug 08
william regal, oxford says...
11:10am Sun 24 Aug 08
Barlow, says...
8:56pm Sun 24 Aug 08
Martin, Oxfordshire says...
8:42am Tue 26 Aug 08
No doubt there are players in the cherwell league particularly young ones who have potential, but that is what it is 'Potential'. Until those players produce at the highest level of club cricket they will never be able to anything more than potential.
I call on clubs in the county to encourage their young players to play the best standard of club cricket they can, as in Australia & then we may see the potential develop instead of clubs being selfish & not doing what is best for the young player.
Your sayYourOxford
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Oxfordshire Supporter, Oxfordshire says...
4:14pm Wed 20 Aug 08