YOUTH CRICKET: Metcalfe shines in double Oxon fightback (From thisisoxfordshire)

YOUTH CRICKET: Metcalfe shines in double Oxon fightback

7:07pm Friday 10th July 2009

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Jack Metcalfe produced a starring role as Oxfordshire Under 17s fought back twice to defeat North-amptonshire by 47 runs on first innings in their final warm-up match before the start of the ECB County Championship campaign.

Metcalfe bludgeoned 66 batting at No 10, before taking three key wickets as Oxon produced a gutsy display against a team who compete two divisions higher.

Northants inserted Oxfordshire on a green track, and Oxon suffered an early blow when Nigel Hume fell for six.

Harry Smith and Ashley Hubbert shared a 36-run second-wicket stand, but when they both fell, Oxon were struggling at 51-3.

It was captain Ed Gross (pictured) who again led by example to steady the ship, top-scoring with a gutsy 73 before falling just before tea.

A collapse saw Oxon reduced to 189-8, before the best partnership of the innings, 120, put them into a commanding position.

George Rendell (56no) and Metcalfe (66) batted superbly, No 10 Metcalfe playing some magnificent strokes and Rendell playing a supporting role.

Oxon's hope of batting on early in the second day soon faded as both Metcalfe and Joe Harris fell quickly, but their 311 all out was a valiant effort.

In their reply, Northamptonshire, who will play in Division 1 of the ECB Championship this season, lost captain Jack Johnson lbw to Metcalfe for nine.

But a fine stand of 117 then followed between Sam Kumar and Christian Davies, and Northants looked well on track.

But Kumar's dismissal, caught by Gross off left-arm spinner Nat Watkins sparked Oxon back into life.

Wickets began to fall regularly, inspired by Gross, who took a further five catches.

Metcalfe was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3-33 from 14 overs, while Michael Darby and Joe Harris also chipped in with three apiece.

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