Oxford UCCE and young Hampshire side draw in The Parks

Hampshire gave first-class debuts to three young cricketers Dominic Clapp a trialist who had been on the Sussex books, James Bruce and Mark Thorburn (who had previously played the standard for Durham UCCE) for the visit to the Parks. The Drawn 3 day match against Oxford Universities Cricket Center of Excellence was finally finished when heavy rain led to an earlier abandonement.

Chosing to bat first the Oxford captain Joe Sayers took advantage to post a five and three quarter hour century. The opening bowlers Bruce and Thorburn showed some pace with the new ball, and all the seam bowlers shared the spoils as the home side made a credidable 281. The oldest man in the Hampshire side showd his experience, Shaun Udal finally dismissing the Yorkshire born Sayers, then polishing off the tail for figures of 4-50.

Will Kendall emulated his opposite number when he batted for Hampshire with a splandit 114, the former Oxford Blue smiting 16 fours in the process. he shared a 161 run partnership with Lawrence Prittipaul, then after his dismissal declared 19 runs behind.

Australian Ed Cowan gave the Oxford second innings imputus, and was very unfortunate to receive a ball that hardly lifted off the ground from Udal to be adjudged LBW on 99. Stuart Airey with a late burst enabled Oxford to set a target of 290 in approximately 50 overs. Udal again finished with 4 wickets.

For just a few minutes in the Oxford 2nd Innings, an up and coming young player took the field as 12th man for Hampshire, one Robin Smith.

Despite a good start from Derek Kenway and James Hamblin posting a century partnership in 14 overs. Both were dismissed in quick time however and the task against the spinners on a slow low wicket was never going to be on, so the rain came as a sort of relief to both sides.