Schuman Oval, Evrange
When Cambridge suggested a cricket match against Oxford for July 2015 the reply is rumoured to have been “that’s not how you spell croquet”, but ironically Oxford almost had the last laugh. Several Cantab. tyros were regretfully and regrettably absent for good reasons (James Verity, Simon Norcross, and Chris Brealey) while Oxford even had a townie oik signed up to bowl uphill into the wind all day and carry the bags. In the end James Leader swapped sides having matriculated in both cities, and 7-a-side it was (each side containing one ten-year-old of unimpeachable university lineage). With the temperature around forty degrees it is a miracle that a ten-over match was pursued with such vigour, but Cambridge won batting second while losing only three wickets (two to Phil Wynne-Owen who was smarting after a duck with the bat). Steven Clarke, John Verrinder, Adrian Wykes, and young Lydie Wykes shone at the crease, while the bowling was rather more friendly (except for the gritty Steven Clarke and Lydie Wykes who took wickets aplenty). Angus Macrae and Richard Goddard scored worrying numbers of runs for Oxford, and the molehills incited one unknown maverick to return to the ground a few days later to erect a sign on the outfield bearing the word “revenge”. The form that this took has not been discovered, although the sign remains in the net area.
Despite the concerns raised during the winter, the cricket was a great success and formed a good backdrop to the serious business of drinking, barbecueing, and socialising. Indeed, the cricketers were outnumbered by the remainder by a margin of nearly four to one, making this one of the biggest, as well as most genial, joint social events of recent times. A return for 2016 is promised, and further possible fixtures for a joint Oxbridge side have been mooted. Many thanks to the Oxford committee for organising the refreshments while Cambridge managed the venue (the Schuman farmhouse at Évrange) and the sport.
Many thanks to the Wykes for making available to the two Societies their wonderful grounds at the Schuman farmhouse!
Careful field placings
Who was keeping score?
Great style!
Socializing around the barbecue
Some welcome shade for the food
