CRICKET: Skipper Woods confident of derby victory (From Witney Gazette)

CRICKET: Skipper Woods confident of derby victory

10:00am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in Sport

Oxford Downs skipper Darryl Woods says his side have to get out of the blocks early if they are to beat local rivals Great & Little Tew in the Oxfordshire final of the Yorkshire Tea Village Knockout Cup this Sunday.

Downs booked their place against their west Oxfordshire rivals with a six-wicket win against Cumnor on Sunday.

Chasing 181-8, Downs passed the target for the loss of only four wickets, with Andy Buck-ingham top-scoring with 67 before he had to go off to hospital after being hit in the face by a delivery.

Buckingham was initially taken to the minor injuries unit at Witney hospital before being transferred to the John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford from where he was later released.

“I think he’s going to play Sunday,” said Woods. “I have spoken to him and although the doctors say he shouldn’t play it will be difficult keeping him away.

“He’s had a couple of teeth pushed back on the bottom rung, so to speak, and has had eight stitches in his lip.

“He went to get his teeth reset at the dentist yesterday.

“But he’s in good spirits. He posted a picture on Facebook.

“He tried to turn one around the corner and top-edged the ball into his face.

“He’s a tough old cookie and he went off straightaway, so I knew something was wrong.”

Meanwhile, Woods said he was relishing the clash with Great Tew.

“I think it will be a good game and I’m looking forward to that. It should be good fun.

“I would say we have a chance of winning it, particularly the way we play our cricket.

“But it’s all down to what happens on the day. We have to make sure we get out of the starting blocks early.

“Having home advantage is quite pleasing, because we pretty much been away in every round.

“It’s nice to get through to the final. It will be a good contest because they have started quite well.”

The teams will have the chance to weigh each other up on Saturday when they meet in the Cherwell League.

Tew reached the final after opponents Challow & Childrey conceded their game as they were unable to field a side.

Skipper Andy Harris said: “We’re a little bit disappointed because we would have liked to have played the game, but also quite pleased we have got through to the final.

“A few of us saw the game at Cumnor and are looking forward to a double-header.

“We have got a lot of youngsters in the side, so it will be a good test for them.

“The great advantage of having a young side is that they play without fear.”