lost since 1878. In 1880 Cambridge had got two victories ahead of Oxford. From 1881 to 1896 we can distinguish three periods: the first from 1881 to 1887, during which Oxford reduced its disadvantage from 2 to 1; the second from 1888 to 1891, in which she fell back to 4 behind; the third from 1892 to 1896, during which she has now reduced the disadvantage from 4 to 3. At this moment Oxford remains 3 behind—Cambridge having won 31, Oxford 28 times. If Oxford were to win every remaining match this century, she would still be only on her old equality with Cambridge.
1. In the first period (1881-87) Oxford began with a very good eleven, who in 1881 made a great many runs on the new ground in the Parks, and ended up by defeating a very good Cambridge Eleven, containing Mr A. G. Steel and three brothers Studd, Mr C. T. among them. Mr A. H. Evans was the Oxford captain—a man of great character and determination. He had been the fast bowler against the three victorious Cambridge Elevens of 1878, 1879, and 1880, in the last of which years, by the way, he had a curious bit of luck in getting Mr Steel stumped in the second innings off the wicket-keeper's pads. But nothing daunted, though thrice defeated, he wound up his fourth year, 1881, by a magnificent bowling performance, which was the main cause of Oxford's victory. The summary of his four years' bowling is as follows:—
| Wickets. | Bowled. | |
| In 1878 | 12 | 8 |
| In 1879 | 1 | 0 |
| In 1880 | 10 | 7 |
| In 1881 | 13 | 6 |
In his victory of 1881 Mr Evans had under him that finished bat, Mr W. H. Patterson, and that dashing bat, Mr A. H. Trevor, both playing for the second time, and two distinguished Freshmen, Mr C. F. H. Leslie, well known to Middlesex, and Mr M. C. Kemp, the Kent wicket-keeper. The second innings of Oxford has become historical on account of two incidents. Mr Patterson had his finger ripped open, but with great courage continued his innings, and made 107 not out. Mr Leslie, soon after he went in, batting at the pavilion end, sent a ball hard into Mr Ford's hands at mid-on. It appeared to be a catch, and Mr Leslie began to walk away. But Mr Patterson appealed; Mr Leslie was given not out, and played a grand innings of 70. In the end, Oxford left Cambridge to get 258 runs; but the determined
