CRICKET: Oxford's cup joy
12:36am Monday 1st September 2008
Oxford were crowned county champions on Sunday night after a dramatic three-run victory over Henley in the Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup final.
Seamer Jack Brooks had the final say in the gathering gloom at Bicester & North Oxford just when it looked like Henley might complete an amazing run chase.
It came down to the final ball with Andy White needing a four to win it, but he was clean bowled by Brooks.
The conditions had been tough all day with bad light and drizzle a constant problem, and the final itself looked like being curtailed by a rain shower.
But both teams and the umpires battled on to produce a thrilling spectacle.
Oxford got off to a flier after winning the toss with Adam Cook hitting the first two balls for four.
But he then gave a leading edge to Chad Keegan, which was snaffled by Dave Allaway, and it was 17-1 at the end of the over.
Skipper Jason Harrison and Stewart Laudat then upped the pace as they reached 60-1 after five overs.
Henley didn't help themselves by conceding five wides on three occasions, while former Gloucestershire captain Mark Alleyne went for 17 in a nine-ball over.
Harrison reached his 50 off 30 balls and faced 52 for his 72 that featured two sixes and seven fours.
Oxford were 102-1 after ten overs, but Henley rallied well.
Alleyne and Keegan regained some control, while White picked up three quick wickets.
In the end, Oxford never managed a push, so 166-6 seemed slightly below par after their start.
It looked very healthy midway through the Henley reply, however, as they reached 66-3, but they increased the rate brilliantly.
Dave Allaway, who com- piled an electric 51, and Todd Ferguson (42) were the key men.
Henley needed 12 off the final over, but neither Allaway nor White could find a decisive boundary.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS Henley 182-4 (C Keegan 98, C Ellison 38), Bicester & North Oxford 100-6 (D Bradshaw 40).
Kidlington 96 (19 ovs, G Charlesworth 3-24, R Gilbert 3-29), Oxford 97-5 (16.3 ovs, J Porter 36no).