Hindered by a slow outfield, Warborough started cautiously against accurate seam and spin bowling on a still-drying pitch. After 18 overs, only 30 runs had been accrued from for the loss of two wickets. However, coming in at number four, Christian Henk quickly acclimatised to the pace of the pitch and proceeded to accelerate the scoring-rate with judicious use of the sweep to counter the eight (and sometimes nine) men positioned on the off-side for leg-spinner Tony Lurcock.

At four down, Henk was joined in his quest by Paul Buckner, who first supported and ultimately matched Henk's ambition. Their partnership for fifth wicket amounted to 79 runs from 19 overs, and included 31 singles as the two ran themselves ragged. After Henk's dismissal for 70, Buckner ensured that the momentum was maintained over the closing five overs before he himself fell for 34 coincident with the declaration at 159 for eight.

In reply, Oxford Downs soon found themselves in deep trouble, as first Tim Chamberlain twice hit the wicket, and then Matt Thompson found lavish swing to induce two catches in successive deliveries, the second of which was taken sharply by Mark Powell who had just positioned himself expectantly at second slip. Further damage was then inflicted when the other opener, Norris, who had evaded the carnage around him, was sent back by his partner when essaying a run to wide mid-on, and failed to make his ground as Dave Perry swooped on the ball and, with just one stump to aim at, threw down the wicket at the bowler's end from some 25 yards.

At 42 for five, Chamberlain and Thompson were rested. The change bowling proved rather less challenging, and the father-and-son Sandbach pairing of Ted and George were able to consolidate before launching an assault on the target.

With twelve overs remaining, and just 47 runs required, Chamberlain was reintroduced into the attack. His pace and accuracy once again induced panic in the ranks, and within six overs, Oxford Downs appeared doomed at 137 for nine.

However, Tim Hook refused to be daunted at the prospect of facing Chamberlain in the fading light, and set about the task of both butchering the bowling, and protecting number eleven Lurcock from the strike, with the minimum of fuss. In the end, it took a quite outstanding catch by Buckner, diving full-length away to his right at first-slip and clutching the ball an inch off the ground, to finally curtail the innings and bring victory to Warborough with three overs remaining.