beat their Cambridge rivals. With the bat Mr C. J. Ottaway, who played from 1870 to 1873, was one of the very best. If Mr Hankey was a master of the free, Mr Lane of the finished, Mr Mitchell of the commanding style, Mr Ottaway was in his turn a master of the defensive. His cool patience made his runs all the more valuable to his own because it tired and exasperated the other side. His scores were 16 and 69 in 1870, 21 and 13 (not out) in 1871, 11 and 41 in 1872, 41 and 52 in 1873, with the fine average of 37·5, or only 2 less than that of his great Cambridge contemporary Mr Yardley, who, more brilliant but less safe, scored 100 in 1870 and 130 in 1872, the two first centuries in University matches. Next to Mr Ottaway in merit came Mr B. Pauncefote, a stylish bat (1868-71), and Mr E. F. S. Tylecote, a sure run-getter (1869-72). A little later, in 1871, came Lord Harris, who, however, was not so good a bat at Oxford as he became afterwards for Kent; later still, in 1873, the great hitter, Mr W. H. Game; and finally, in 1875, Mr A. J. Webbe. Since that year, for now nearly a quarter of a century, the name of "Webbie" has become a household word in cricket. He has devoted himself with untiring energy to Oxford cricket, not forgetting that of Cambridge. He is the kind friend of every young school and university cricketer. From his Harrow days he has been a first-rate bat and field. In 1875, as a Freshman against Cambridge, he scored 55 and 21, and at a critical moment, in the final innings of Cambridge, caught the Hon. E. Lyttelton off Mr Buckland at the top of the ground, close to the ropes, by a memorable running catch, which contributed greatly to the close victory of Oxford. Never was a more deservedly popular cricketer. Long life to you, dear old fellow!
At this time Oxford also boasted several fine fast bowlers, such as Mr C. K. Francis and Mr S. E. Butler. To the latter more than to any other single man must be imputed the first victory of Oxford in this period, that of 1871. Oxford having got 170 in the first innings, Mr S. E. Butler got all ten wickets of Cambridge, no less than 8 clean bowled, for 65, and made them follow on. In their second innings he clean bowled 4 wickets and got a fifth caught, and thus ably assisted in getting Cambridge out for 129, leaving Oxford only 25 to win, which they accomplished after the loss of 2 wickets. Mr Butler got 15 wickets in all for 95 runs. This is acknowledged to be the greatest single bowling performance of the university matches. It is this sort of thing which throws light on the difference between cricket then and now. The ground was not so true. Bowled at a great pace,
