LMH students Charlotte Maple and Finnley Aston represented Oxford in the Varsity T20 match against Cambridge at Lords cricket ground on 9 May. 

With Oxford electing to bowl first, Cambridge reached a formidable total of 163 runs, giving the dark blues a high target to chase. Unable to quite match Cambridge’s total, the Oxford Women’s Blues fell short by just 36 runs. 

Although it wasn’t a winning day for the Women’s Blues, Charlotte and Finnley were delighted to have the opportunity to play at the Home of Cricket, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 

Finnley, a third-year Chemistry undergraduate who has been playing cricket since the age of nine, has represented Oxford since signing up at the Freshers’ Fair in first year. Reflecting on the match, Finnley said, “Playing at Lords was an incredible experience. Not only did we get to train and play on the pitch, a beautifully kept ground, we got all the behind-the-scenes experience too. Oxford have access to the away changing room and players’ balcony as well as the rest of the pavilion. Walking from the changing room through the long room in my batting kit is something I will never forget.” 

Charlotte, currently studying for her Mst in Greek and/or Roman History having previously completed her undergraduate degree in Ancient and Modern History at LMH, has been playing cricket since the age of eight. Formerly a member of the Somerset County youth academy, she also signed up to play cricket at Oxford at a virtual Freshers’ Fair during the pandemic and has played for the dark blues throughout her four years here. 

Charlotte has relished the experience of playing at Lords three times during her time in Oxford, saying: “Playing at Lords was an incredible experience. This was the third year in which the women’s T20 has been allowed to play on the main pitch at Lords alongside the men (previously we were playing either at Fenners/Parks or on the nursery ground behind main pitch at Lords). I think everyone in the squad realised what an amazing opportunity this was and approached the game seriously in training. While we lost on the day, the standard of cricket was good, and it was a close game. We’ll be looking to make a comeback at the Arundel Castle 50-Over Varsity Match in 9th week. The memory of playing at Lords is something I will cherish forever and was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I feel incredibly lucky to have represented Oxford at all 3 Lords T20 Varsities so far.”