Cambridge UCCE v Durham UCCE

On 5 May 2021, Cambridge University CC welcomed Durham UCCE in Cambridge’s final BUCS game of the season. Following a heavy defeat away against a confident Durham side earlier in the season, Cambridge were eager to put in a good performance. It was a must-win game for Durham – a victory here would keep them in contention for progressing to the BUCS semi-finals.

Cambridge won the toss and elected to bat first.

Some skilful Durham pace bowling restricted Cambridge to just 33/2 off their first 10 overs. Following a challenging start to the innings, the Cambridge batsmen started to bat with more fluency, and a crucial partnership of 74 between Harry Houillon and Jovan Dhariwal set up a strong foundation for the innings before Houillon fell, trapped LBW on 70, leaving the score at 128-4 off 28 overs.

Dhariwal continued to bat freely before he was dismissed for a well-made 62. Following the loss of two set batsmen, Cambridge rebuilt well, with important contributions from Aaran Amin (25) and Robert Newby (26), taking Cambridge to a competitive total of 253.

Given the calibre of the Durham batting line-up, 253 was always going to be a challenging total to defend. Confidence was high in the Durham side, as their openers struck 28-0 off just the first 4 overs. Here, captain Nick Taylor made a well-calculated decision, boldly introducing spinner Amin into the attack in only the fifth over. Amin repaid Taylor’s confidence, taking a wicket with only his third ball, dismissing Durham’s powerful opening batsman Joe Cracknell.

Wickets fell at regular periods through the middle overs, as the Durham batsmen struggled to navigate some skilful spin bowling, most notably from Newby, who finished with outstanding figures of 1-29 off his 10 overs.

With the score at 188-6 off 40 overs, the game was finely poised. The 41st over, bowled by Dhariwal, saw the game turn in Cambridge’s favour. Dhariwal first dismissed Conolly, who was well set on 20, and an excellent piece of fielding from Taylor led to the second wicket of the over, Booth, run out for just 4.

With Durham at 197-8, Cambridge appeared in control, but excellent batting from Hewison continued to frustrate the Cambridge side. In just his second over, all-rounder Alex Moen dismissed Hewison (63), who was calmly caught by the reliable Amin at long-on.

However, the game was not yet over, as Durham reached 235-9 off 47 overs, leaving just 19 required off the final 3 overs. A cool 48th over from Moen restricted the Durham batsmen, who then took an ill-advised single to Taylor at short cover, who expertly executed his second run out of the day, ending the Durham innings at 237 all out, and granting Cambridge their first BUCS win of the season.

It was pleasing to see a strong performance from a Cambridge side that has improved considerably from the beginning of their BUCS campaign. Following some strong performances earlier in the season, the team were pleased to see their hard work translate into a BUCS victory. Playing in the BUCS league has exposed the team to a high standard of cricket, from which many lessons have been learnt, which they can hopefully put into use in the Varsity games later in the season.

Match report by Harry Houllion