Cambridge University v Burwell & Exning

Cricket Blues Victorious as Cambridge Sport Returns

It’s been a long few months. For the first time since before Christmas, Cambridge has seen the return of University sport as the Men’s Cricket Blues secured an impressive 5 wicket win over Burwell & Exning CC. Alex Moen of Magdalene College was the star of the day for the Light Blues, taking 6-34 off his eight overs before anchoring the chase with 85 not-out off 124 balls. Moen was ably supported first by Nathan Johns (Homerton) who contributed 36 (73) to an 80-run partnership, and then by ‘keeper Ed Hyde, the Jesus man, ending up unbeaten on 44 (46).

Earlier in the day, skipper Nick Taylor (Clare) had won the toss and decided to bowl first at Queens’ pitches on a slow deck. It proved to be a wise move as opening bowler Jan Cross-Zamirski (Downing) extracted plenty of movement off the pitch, beating the bat on multiple occasions. He was unfortunate not to be rewarded with a wicket in his first spell for his efforts.

Pace off the ball became the most effective way of pinning the visitors back, as Mudara Senanayake’s (St. John’s) medium pace removed Tom Griffiths for the first wicket of the new season, Moen taking a good diving catch at point. Senanayake added another scalp to his name before Finn Mortimore (Girton) broke Tim Catley’s bails for a wicket on debut.

Up stepped Moen to blow away the Burwell middle order with more medium pace. His reward for bowling straight was clattering into the poles on four occasions, with one LBW thrown in for good measure. Skipper Taylor remained aggressive with his field by keeping a slip in play for much of the innings, something which paid off when Harry Houillon (Fitzwilliam), also on debut, took a catch there off the bowling of Moen. Jospeh Tetley put together the lone score of note for Burwell, with his 70 the only real resistance as the Blues restricted their visitors to 196 all out.

The chase did not get off to the best of starts. With the opening bowlers moving the new ball plenty, Taylor, Senanayake, Jovan Dhariwal (Magdalene) and Houillon all departed early to leave Cambridge at 26-4. The partnership between Moen and Johns proved to be crucial, as the pair set about wresting momentum back in their favour. Johns survived a few close LBW shouts but managed to get the in-form Moen on strike to the Burwell spinners – a trademark switch-hit proving to be a fruitful shot for the Magdalene man. Johns departed after looking set, bowled via an inside edge, but that only brought Hyde to the crease. He looked at ease striking at above a run a ball, combining with Moen to put on an unbeaten 91 run partnership. Both players cleared the fence with some powerful stroke play, the highlight being Moen’s ramp over fine-leg.

Skipper Taylor was delighted to finally be back playing after plenty of preparations went into ensuring CUCC could safely return to action.

“It’s been great to get back training and playing after an extended break. We have strict COVID rules but the guys have adjusted well. The club senior committee has worked very hard with the Uni sports department, who have done a fantastic job in allowing us to restart. Starting with a win should set the tone leading into an extremely challenging fixture programme featuring five more local Premier League sides, as well as 6 games in the BUCS National League. Alex Moen had an outstanding day today. His bowling turned the game around for us while his effort with the bat was an incredibly mature and well-paced knock. His partnerships with experienced Blues Nathan Johns and Ed Hyde saw us home.”