Lancaster blitz not quite enough

2:13pm Friday 16th May 2008

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A fine bowling performance from Nick Lancaster could not inpsire Oxfordshire Under 11s to victory in their opening match of the season against Summerfield School.

Lancaster took 4-15 in an excellent spell, but Summerfield held on at 107-7 to secure a draw.

Oxon won the toss and elected to bat on a good track, and a steady opening partnership between Connor Tinsley and James Fitzjohn got them off to a good start.

Fitzjohn was bowled by county player Henry Portman, but Tinsley carried on to top-score with 35 in Oxon's total of 120 all out.

Important contributions came from James Rowley (22) and Patrick Main (18).

In reply, Summerfield started slowly, thanks to some tight bowling from opener William Bull, who took the first two wickets.

Captain Lancaster took the third wicket as Summerfield fell to 16-3.

At 43-4, the match was well-balanced, but a fine partnership of 55 between Henry Portman and Freddie Spicernall put Summerfields in a strong position.

However, Lancaster brought himself back on, removing Spicernall for an excellent 64, caught by Louis Pennington.

Portman fell for 11 on the next ball, but Lancaster just failed to complete a hat-trick.

Summerfield then shut up shop, and with Lancaster taking a fourth wicket, they closed on 107-7 to deny Oxfordshire a victory.