Guest and Chapman destroy Durham

Universities Round-up

CAMBRIDGE top the BUCS Premier one-day standings after their second victory from as many matches, with every side now up and running in the competition.

The top-of-the-table students saw off Durham by 23 runs at Fenner’s but only after defending a paltry 146 made in 47.2 overs.

Xavier Owen, Freddie Ruffell and Benedict Graves did the damage for Durham, taking three wickets apiece.

But with ball in hand Cambridge were on fire from the start as Callum Guest and Luke Chapman ripped through Durham’s top order, taking 3-13 and 3-24 respectively.

Solent also made it two wins from two, beating winless Exeter by two wickets, with Rob Walters making 120 in their successful 289-run chase.

Cardiff missed the chance to join Cambridge and Solent on two wins.

They got off to the ideal start, defeating Exeter with skipper Neil Brand leading the way with the bat, top scoring with 66 off 83 balls in a handy 262-8.

Dangerman Kamau Leverock (2-42) got two early breakthroughs as Exeter’s chase got off to a shaky start, but despite 49 from Patrick Castleden, who had earlier taken 3-40, and Ross Powell (62) they never threatened.

Aron Nijjar took 3-51 as the chase ended up falling 32 runs short.

Brand was again on flying form with the bat, this time scoring 103 as Cardiff made 249-6 against Loughborough.

Despite Alex Milton (102) almost matching Brand, Cardiff were made to regret not scoring quickly enough.

Hosts Loughborough got home with an over to spare after an opening stand of 134 between Sam Evans (62) and Basil Akram (70). But it was Adam Tillcock with 23 off 18 balls who eventually took them over the line.

Elsewhere, Oxford failed to back up their opening victory over Exeter as they were comfortably beaten by 60 runs by Leeds/Bradford at Weetwood.

Scotland international Craig Wallace made 78 off just 73 balls for the Yorkshire side. And the target of 235-5 was never really in any danger, as spinner Will Holmes (6-37) claimed the best-ever one-day figures by a Leeds-Bradford player.