Old Epsomian wins Oxford cricket Blue
21 Aug 2013
Tom Williams became the first Old Epsomian to earn a cricket Blue for over 30 years when he represented Oxford University against Cambridge this month.
The son of Epsom College Deputy Head Paul Williams, Tom, who left the College last year, played a pivotal role in helping Oxford inflict the second highest defeat ever on Cambridge in the four-day Varsity match on 2-5 July at Fenners, Cambridge.
Batting first, Oxford notched up a huge total of 550-7 declared in their first innings, which included a record 313 not out from captain Sam Agarwal. Tom finished not out on 9.
Opening the bowling for Oxford, Tom struck early to dismiss the Cambridge openers and went on to take 5-34 off 15 overs as Cambridge were dismissed for 119 runs in their first innings.
With Cambridge following on, he then picked up the first three wickets to fall, including two in two balls, to leave the Light Blues tottering at 7-3.
Oxford eventually bowled out Cambridge for 245 in the second innings to win by an innings and 186 runs, with Tom recording match figures of 27 overs, 9 maidens, 8 wickets for 69 runs.
The victory secured the Varsity series for Oxford following a 7 wicket victory over Cambridge in a rain affected one-day match at Lord’s on 15 June. Tom missed the latter match through injury but was delighted to have helped Oxford win the Varsity series, having also represented the university in the abandoned Varsity T20 match two weeks earlier.
Tom, who has just completed his first year at Oxford, is reading Chemistry at Balliol, and has also represented the university at hockey. With a distinction in his end of year examinations already secured, he credits his ability to manage the combined pressures of academia and sport to the experiences he gained at Epsom, where he played 1st XI cricket for three years and 1st XI hockey for two years.
“A tremendous achievement and in his first year too. We are so proud of what Tom has accomplished this season and to make such a significant contribution to Oxford’s victory was even more impressive,” said Director of Sport, Fi Drinkall.