Men’s First XI

Captain Robert Posgate; Secretary/Treasurer Oliver Leyland

Early season hopes were, for the first time in several seasons, rather high. A strong batch of freshers contributed to successful pre-season nets. This did not transfer to the first league game of the season, which was left unfinished due to rain, with Queen’s unlikely to reach the meagre total of 164-8 set by University College. Some comfort was taken from the game, which produced several catching chances for Queen’s, all of which were taken. Following this disappointment, the College’s first league victory for two years, coming in the second league game against the eventual winners of the second division, Merton/Mansfield, was most welcome. Fine batting displays from Baker and Cooke secured a score of 263-7, an easily defensible total. Bowling figures of 2-7 from Baker and 3-13 from the much-improved Boyd led to a Queen’s victory by just under 150 runs. Baker, one of the most impressive players, sadly had Mathematics Finals to contend with and missed much of the season. Especially in mid-season, much rested on the abilities of our freshers, who made up at least six members of the team in every match. Defeats by Exeter and Magdalen were met with much frustration as our young team battled to gain promotion. The chance to play St Edmund Hall was eagerly awaited by everyone. The team found itself struggling to contain some excellent batting, especially by their captain Scott who reached 112 before falling to Boyd. Good team spirit kept the score down to 239-6, with able catching from Margetts and solid bowling in pleasant batting conditions from Kinner and Richardson, two of our freshers. Cross and Kinner put on 50 for the opening wicket, playing with good technique and sense. Neither played for Queen’s last year, but they became our two most reliable players, both taking wickets and scoring runs throughout the season. Their partnership left Cooke, Taylor and Hodges to score successive fifties and claim the victory at a rate of eight runs an over. This was a most impressive performance against our rivals, and one of this season’s best college sides.

This performance gave the team a chance of promotion, with victory needed from the last two games in eighth week. St Anne’s and Jesus were both struggling to avoid relegation and keen to gain a victory against Queen’s. Both sides scored large totals, with Jesus reaching 178-6, only held back by some excellent bowling from Baker, back from Finals, to claim 1-15 at an economy of fewer than two runs an over. Fine batting from Leyland, back from injury rather earlier than he had been advised, set up a fine run chase which won Queen’s the match by two wickets. St Anne’s also went into bat first and, somewhat luckily, reached 219, a fine total on a poor wicket. A very quick 45 from Cordle was matched by a superbly played 50 from Hodges, who turned in some attacking batting displays throughout the season as well as good work with the ball. However, it was Cross, consistent throughout the season, who took five wickets and scored 86 runs in a brilliant batting display to gain victory and promotion. Cross’ displays have been indicative of our season – fine batting, solid work in the field and good team spirit. The team also had enjoyable fixtures against three Old Members’ teams, only one of which resulted in victory for the College. Thanks must go to groundsman Martin Cross for managing the finest wickets and sports ground on the college circuit, assisted by the new acquisition of covers, partly funded by Old Members, and to his wife Shirley for her superb teas.

Women’s XI

Captain Sarah Lawrence

The arrival of some talented freshers to complement an already experienced team resulted in another successful year. The only competitive cricket available for college women’s teams is Cuppers, and, consequently, a major difficulty has been that of finding sufficient cricket for a large talented squad. That being so, the team managed to win Cuppers comfortably with no side being able to score more than 45 runs against it. The bowling this year, led by Louise Dent and Sarah Berman, has been of high standard, Louise and Sarah registering figures of 4 for 15 and 3 for 2 respectively in matches against LMH/Merton and Wadham. In the semi-final and final, the fine bowling of Miranda Hayward, Annie Bowden and Susan Lowrey contributed to the team’s victory. Coupled with strong fielding performances which kept opponent’s runs down to a minimum, the team’s batting ability was not tested until the final of Cuppers against Corpus Christi, in which a team effort produced 186 runs off 25 overs. However, Corpus who scored 160 runs in their semi-final against Keble could only manage to score 44 runs, leaving Queen’s with a considerable victory. The club is grateful to Martin Cross, our groundsman, to his wife for preparing such excellent teas, Jill Barraclough for scoring and Mark Tindle for umpiring all matches this year.