Page:Jubilee Book of Cricket (Second edition, 1897).djvu/376

354 (50) and C. A. Absolom (30) contributed nearly half the Cambridge total of 164. The other three innings show 91 to Cambridge, 99 and 98 to Oxford: yet both sides were really strong. B. Pauncefote was the most successful Oxford batsman, and W. B. Money's lobs again did great havoc, 11 wickets in all for but 59 runs.

A fourth successive win fell to Cambridge in 1870, yet the majority was as low as 2 runs, and the match is justly famous for its ups and downs, as well as for the closeness and sensational nature of the finish. The two sides were exceedingly strong in all departments, Oxford presumably a little the stronger; but it was a battle of giants, out of which the vanquished came as creditably as their conquerors. At the end of an innings each, Oxford had a lead of 28, with 175 to 147, A. T. Scott (Cambridge) 45, and A. T. Fortescue (Oxford) 35: these were the two highest scores thus far; but more was to come. The first Cambridge wicket fell for 6 runs, 3 were down for 19, and 5 for 40, only 12 runs to the good; but here W. Yardley and J. W. Dale put on no less than 116 runs, completely altering the whole look of the game. Yardley covered himself with fame by being the first man to score three figures in this match, his score being 100 exactly. Dale's total was 67, and it was a truly marvellous catch by Ottaway, leaning back over the ropes with one hand, that broke up the partnership. So good, however, in both innings was the bowling of C. K. Francis and T. H. Belcher, who had 9 wickets apiece, that 206 was all Cambridge could muster. Oxford now required 179 to win, and began so badly that W. H. Hadow had to leave before a run had been scored. Fortescue (44) and Ottaway (69) put on 72 together, Pauncefote failed, and E. F. S. Tylecote (29) lent Ottaway such good help that with 5 wickets to fall only 19 runs were required—a small task, indeed, for the next two batsmen, W. Townshend and F. H. Hill. The former got out, however, as did C. K. Francis; but Hill was batting with skill and confidence, and though the next three men were not great batsmen, yet the number of runs wanted was but 4: a single good hit would have won the match. From the first ball of F. C. Cobden's famous over that hit came, but A. A. Bourne, though he saved the four, allowed one run to be got, thereby bringing Hill to the bowler's end, whence he watched, first S. E. Butler retire, brilliantly caught by Bourne, then T. H. Belcher, clean bowled, and finally A. W. Stewart, clean bowled. The Cambridge men present—many had left the ground, not caring to see the coup de grâce administered—went mad. Hats, sticks,