If UWMCC were to have any chance of advancing through to the next stage of the competition, they would have to win 4 out of 4 games at Leicester on Sunday 19th November against two sets of Coventry and Keele sides. The squad consisted of captain Mihir, Randall, Rhino, Millman, Kieron and two BUCS indoor debutants; freshers Ollie Warwick and Sash Abbasi.
Game 1- Coventry 1s defeated UWMCC by 3 wickets.
UWMCC were put into bat with Mihir and Millman at the top, which would prove to be a difficult task since no one knew what a par score would be. Nonetheless the account opened up in style with Millman pumping two exquisite straight drives for 4 in the first over, before snicking off for 8 runs. Randall joined Mihir next for a short-lived 4, before he fell too by dragging his foot out his crease and being stumped. Ollie and Mihir began a rebuilding process, with them getting 31* and 21 respectively. Rhino and Kieron came in at the end to propel the score to defendable 96. The bowling account, however, didn’t get off to the start as we had hoped for, with Coventry 1s racing to 25/0 off 2 overs. Ollie and Randall picked up one a piece in the middle to keep us in the game, with the added help of a
run out. Coventry 1s needed 4 off the last over to win, which they did with 4 ball remaining.
Game 2- UWMCC defeated Coventry 2s by 5 wickets.
UWMCC bowled first this time, and the tone was set in the first over by Rhino; going only for 3 and picking up a wicket. This was backed up all throughout the bowling display with Kieron (3 overs, 1-16) and Ollie (3 overs, 1-36) keeping it tight. The opposition were restricted to 88/3 off their 10 overs. Sash and Mihir opened the chase, with Sash scoring a quick 10, before getting caught. Mihir and Ollie then built a solid partnership; both retiring at 25. Millman and Rhino were left with the task of seeing victory home, which was done in 7.3 overs.
Game 3- UWMCC defeated Keele 2s by 6 wickets.
The intensity showed in the field by UWMCC was replicated in the third game of the day; most likely due to Millman’s encouragement from the side-line since he was rested. We bowled first and Rhino (0-12) set the tone again at the start. The pace attack then followed and kept Keele 2s tied down; Randall (2.2 overs, 0-16), Ollie (3 overs, 1-18) and Kieron (2 overs, 1-9). The bowling was backed up in the field, as shown by 4 run outs taking place which helped roll them over for 58 in 8.2 overs. With Millman out the side, the team had very high hopes for a successful run chase. Sash smashed a quick-fire 28*, with Mihir (12) and Ollie (12) steering the team home in 6.2 overs.
Game 4- Keele 1s defeated UWMCC by 3 wickets.
UWMCC were put into bat and the opening pair of Mihir and Millman were back. Millman got us off to a great start with a straight 6 but fell shortly after for 8. Mihir and Randall enjoyed a decent partnership before both perishing for 15 and 13 respectively. Ollie came in and hit a well-needed 37* which, with the help of Rhino’s 17, got us to 95-5 after 10 overs. The defence didn’t get off to the best of starts with Randall being pumped over his head for 6 with the first ball of the innings. Nonetheless, he and the others helped bring it back with one wicket each for Randall, Ollie and Kieron. Keele needed 4 runs off the final over, which they got with 3 balls remaining.
A disappointing end to the BUCS Indoor campaign for UWMCC but there were nonetheless positives to be taken from the experience. No doubt the team will come back stronger than ever next year.