BUCS silver crowns exceptional cricket season

The Exeter side, who stormed to victory in the BUCS Premier South league, were hopeful of a strong result having beaten fierce contenders Durham in the semi-finals. Speaking before the match women’s captain Pheobe Graham said: “This year could be our year, the strength and depth within our team is phenomenal and for the first time in a semi-final EULCC [University of Exeter Women’s Cricket Club] really backed themselves.”

“Our team showed how capable and valuable every team member is, bring on Lords.”

Loughborough opened the batting, setting a challenging, but achievable score of 273/ 9 off 50, offering Exeter a very real opportunity to oust the favourites.

A tenacious early chase saw the Exeter girls score 104 /2 off 22 overs, before losing two quick wickets in the cloudy conditions. The squad’s efforts, however, were hampered when the overcast weather inevitably turned to rain, interrupting an hour of play.  Returning to the field a Duckworth-Lewis adjusted target left the team needing a further 142 from just 17 overs – a mountain that proved too high to climb. The final score Loughborough 279/9: 179/8 Exeter.

Despite the defeat Director of Cricket Julian Wyatt was pleased with the performance of the side, who also took silver at the indoor competition in March. He said: “The team had a wonderful day and played with real spirit against a star studded Loughborough team. The end result was similar to the indoor competition, however the team witnessed that the gap between the two sides was marginal and if they continue to work hard I am confident that we will be even stronger next season.”

The men’s team also fared well in the championship reaching the semi-final for the first time since 2004 and, with 10 of the squad remaining at University next year, Julian is confident looking ahead to the 2013 / 2014 season.

He added: “It has been a successful year for the University's cricketers as a whole; the University of Exeter is ranked second in the National table following impressive league performances from both the men and women’s sides.

“The men’s ambition to become a fully recognised ‘top four’ team has been reinforced by a fourth position in Premier A. The seconds, thirds and forth men’s team have also done incredibly well each winning their respective leagues.

“The boys didn’t get to play much during what turned out to be an incredibly wet 2012 season, so to have done as well as they have is very encouraging. We have shown this season that we can play amongst and beat the top cricketing Marylebone Cricket Club (MCCU) academies in the UK.

“Exeter no longer plays to the mantra of “punching above our weight” and the players are firm in their intention of creating a legacy of achievement that others will aspire to and take further.”