THE 2018 Church Times Cricket Cup is in full swing.

Oxford played Salis­bury on Monday in pleasant sunshine at the canal-side pitch at Wilton. Salisbury batted first, and took some time to put on runs, owing to a slow pitch. Oxford débutante spinner Hamilton-Box made the crucial breakthrough, and went on to take the wickets of all of Oxford’s top five batsmen. Windsor anchored Salisbury’s innings, clocking up 37 not out, and enabled them to reach 100 for 7 after the allotted 35 overs.

Oxford responded slowly but steadily, reaching 32 without loss before Strain had White stumped for 6. Strain was the pick of Salisbury’s bowlers, taking three wickets and keeping run concessions low.

Owen pushed on for Oxford, putting on 29. After a mid-order collapse, however, it was left to Glenny and Bentley to up the rate in the final overs, before number 9 Jesudasson clipped the final runs over mid off with only two wickets remaining.

It was a tense ending to a game played in great spirit and splendid sunshine.

Manchester played north-west rivals Chester/Liverpool at Warrington Cricket Club on Thursday of last week. Chester/Liverpool won the toss and elected to bat, and were kind enough to lend two fielders to their opponents, who started the game with only seven players (two more arrived to take their number up to nine).

Chester/Liverpool did not start promisingly: their numbers two and three batsmen (Pennyston and Corbett) were both out for ducks. Opener McLaren put on 16 before being caught out, and number 5 batsman Page put on a solid 31. Emmerson excelled among the bowlers, taking three wickets in a row.

The side ended their innings at 107 all out.

Manchester responded confidently, despite their depleted numbers. Lindop and Hills put on 17 each, Thomas reached a respectable 26, and Hollingsbee was 22 not out. They passed their target for the loss of only five wickets.

Salisbury 100 for 7 (Windsor 37 n.o). Oxford 102 for 8 (Owen 29).

Oxford won by 2 wickets.

Chester/Liverpool 107 all out (McLaren 16, Page 31, Humphries 15; Emmerson 3 for 10, Hollingsbee 1 for 9). Manchester 108-5 (Lindop 17, Hills 17, Thomas 26, Hollingsbee 22 n.o.; Humphries 2 for 24, Curry 1 for 16, Milton 1 for 20).

Manchester won by 5 wickets.

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