Despite a quality innings of 58 from Tom Simmons, Leeds University 1st XI were beaten by the Met by a couple of wickets at the Headingley Indoor Sports Centre. Despite the loss, there were several positives to take from the game in a dedicated and professional performance.

Normally home to Yorkshire’s players for practice during the winter months, yesterday the Indoor Nets and practice rooms played host to a fiercely contested Varsity match, with the weird and wonderful game of indoor cricket. With the gym-like pitch surrounded by netting and boards, the mind needs a seconds readjustment before recognising this as a game and not a county practice session. However, within a few balls the quality and commitment on show removed all doubt that this was a serious business.

Batting first, openers Chris Gill and Simmons started brightly, with several attacking shots inside the first over. Despite having their partnership broken with the score on 21; Gill being run out after a sharp pick up and throw, Simmons continued his innings seemingly undisturbed by the loss of his partner. Continuing to play positively, he showed a liking for the leg side in particular, repeatedly turning balls of his hips to the boards. Perhaps he was inspired by the various pictures of Yorkshire luminaries adorning the walls of the centre.

However, while the skipper was making his merry way through the gears, he was running out of partners. No’s. 3, 4 & 5 (Vandaspar, Williams and McQueen) all fell relatively cheaply, although all three looked to be positive from the off. At the halfway stage (6 overs) Uni were still a pedestrian 49-3, with Met perhaps anticipating a comfortable chase. However, they had reckoned without Simmons and No. 5 batsman J. Lee, who shared a wonderful partnership. Lee recognised the need for runs, and hit a quick-fire 30, with one imperious straight drive the pick of his shots. Even when facing pacemen, they took their opportunities to score whenever possible, and hauled LU up to a respectable, if slightly below-par score, of 118.

Knowing that a disciplined bowling performance allied to tidy fielding was key, Uni’s pacemen started off hitting a tight off-stump line. However, some improvised shot-selection and an unlucky dropped catch allowed Met to survive two excellent opening overs intact. They did though find upping the run rate difficult, as Vandaspar now showed off his abilities with the ball, sending down three superb overs, the Met batsmen simply unable to hit him for boundaries.

However, the Met openers were still at the crease until the score was 45; a quick relay throw to the keeper resulted in a sharp run-out, and LU had a precious breakthrough. One down soon became two, as another quick throw and sure hands from the wicket-keeper resulted in another Met batsman falling short of the crease. However, there followed a calm and composed partnership under pressure from the Met batsmen, and despite two late run outs they were always in control. Credit should nevertheless be given to the Uni bowlers and fielders; they remained focused and dedicated to the last.

Author: Euan Cunningham