Mixed start for University Cricketers

Squads from the first and second team made the journey to Eastleigh, Southampton for the six a-side 10/10 matches. Playing only two matches each, the Exeter teams, faced each other and an on form Plymouth University.

The University of Exeter 1^st team came out comfortably on top at the end of the days play. Fourth year Captain Joe Barrs and scholar Tom Abell batted with vigour to take a 60 run victory of 138/5 over their second team counterparts who struggled against the speed of the first team bowlers.

A strong Plymouth (who were victorious in all of their other matches) also struggled at the crease. Pacey bowling saw them all out for 91, a target that Exeter met with two wickets to spare.

Captain Joe Barrs was pleased with his team’s performance so early in the season. “We did what we needed to do to come through our first two games in the competition with comfortable wins.” He commented. “It was a great way to start this year's indoor cricket, a competition which Exeter has a proud history in.

“Having been successful at the weekend, we now have something to build on the next time we play and we can focus our training in the meantime on certain areas so that our performances will only improve.”

Having suffered defeat against the firsts, the second team struggled to rebuild against Plymouth. A close match saw the Exeter 2nds take 101/5, Alex Morgan making a solid 31. Plymouth, however, batted strongly to take the match in the eighth over, finishing on 103/4.

The start of the indoor season comes at an exciting time for the cricketers at the University of Exeter. The club has welcomed a new coach and the delivery of a Merlyn spin bowling machine this October. The only one of its kind in Devon, the £14,000 Merlin machine is set to greatly enhance the training ability of the club.

The highest ranked non MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) funded University cricket club in the country, the University of Exeter has cemented itself as a top cricketing institution, ranked 2^nd in the overall 2012 / 2013 British Universities and Colleges Sport league tables.

Last season the men’s team reached the semi-final of the outdoor competition, but Director of Cricket Julian Wyatt knows there is still a long way to go.

“This has been an interesting start to the season, and a good opportunity for the boys to get back into cricket after a long summer away. It was good to see the first’s on-top as we would hope, but there is still a lot to be done if we are to maintain the same level of results that we achieved last year.

“It is still early days, and I have every confidence that if the team remain focussed we will be challenging for the BUCS National championship.

Joe Barrs added: “Success in indoor cricket will give us great momentum and will hopefully reflect what is going to be another successful outdoor season for Exeter. This year’s intake of first years into the squad has only strengthened us, so hopefully we can go one better this year and win the whole competition.”