Excellent batting displays by Billy Goldleman (69*) and Nick Compton (56*) guided Middlesex to 154/3 when Ben Hutton chose to decalre. There was mixed news for Middlesex as Chris Wright, contracted to the club but currently playing for Cambridge UCCE took two wickets.

Thomas Webley hit 75 to keep Cambridge in touch as the wickets fell. When he was dismissed, the hosts were 168/6, 109 short of the target. But in came wicket keeper Gary Park who hit 48*, assisted by 30 from Palladino guided the hosts to 277/8 and a two wicket victory

Day 1 & 2

A young and inexperienced team proved to be just as good as their more learned counterparts as Middlesex Seized the initiative against Cambridge University at Fenner’s. The depleted ‘sex squad saw 4 players (Steven Finn, Billy Godleman, Andrew Poynter and Chris Jones) handed Middlesex debuts.

With rain causing a hindrance on day 1, only 45 overs of play were possible, in which time Ben Hutton scored a welcome century in what was one of his first notable knocks of the season. Unfortunately, the equally out of sorts Ed Smith could not replicate his opening partner, with his innings of 35 confirming that he is still far from being at his batting peak.

Hutton ended the day unbeaten, but as ever was unable to turn his score into a sizeable hundred as he fell early on the second morning for 111, after only adding a further 8 runs to his overnight score. It wasn’t all bad news though, as Hutton’s replacement, Ben Scott, smashed a quick-fire unbeaten 43 to bring the ‘sex to a surprisingly early declaration at 273-3. Scott also found good support in Nick Compton, who added a valuable unbeaten 39.

In response, the students were outclassed, initially by the inexperience of Finn, Jones and Whelan and latterly by the slightly more experienced spin bowling of Dalrymple and Peploe. Middlesex didn’t have it all their way though- a first innings total of 151 ensured that the hosts avoided the follow on, thus giving Ed Smith another chance to spend a lengthy period of time in the middle. Once again, however, this was a rather short stay as Smith became one of three early wickets for the students, who had reduced the ‘sex to 27-3. The recovery was led by debutant Godleman, whose unbeaten 45 was the highlight in a stand of 74 with Compton, as Middlesex closed on 101-3.

Please click here for the scorecard for this match

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon