Results 09/10 Season
Friendlies
19/04/10 - Staffordshire Uni 1st XI - Away - 40 overs - Won
Skipper Awan started his first season in charge by winning the toss and swiftly put the hosts in to bat. Mandleberg and debutante Lambert made a great start with the new ball taking the first two wickets for just 29 runs in the first 10 overs. Buck then backed up his winter training promise by bowling a solid 8 over spell, with figures of 3-20 to top the afternoons averages. Others chipped in before Ul Mulk finished off Staffordshire's innings with two quick wickets including Murphy's forth catch of the day as fill in keeper. Staffs ended on 130 all out after 34 overs. Usman (41) and Woodcock (26) made a swift start in chasing down the small total needed by putting together an opening stand of 92, before they both departed in quick succession. A middle order collapse led to a few nervy moments before Razz (16 n/a) and Ul Mulk (4 n/a) finished off the job to ensure BCU won the match by 5 wickets. Role on the rest of the season.
20/04/10 - Aston University 1st XI - Away - 50 overs - Won
After a long period without a victory against either of our local rivals in the longer form of the game, this win came as a huge relief. Awan once again won the toss and put the opposition in to bat. However in the absence of Lambert he decided to open the bowling himself, a choice which was soon vindicated as he ripped through Aston's top order along with a steady spell from Mandleberg. Awan ended his spell on 6-11 and left Aston 24-7. Buck and Kamboz took the remaining wickets to finish off the inning leaving BCU 70 runs for victory. The afternoon was then capped off with the perfect run chase from BCU's opening pair of Usman (35) and Woodcock (36) to complete a 10 wicket hammering of our near neighbours.
21/04/10 - Aston Manor 2nd XI - Home - T20 - Drawn
Bad light meant the game ended in a draw. Awan topped the bowling again with figures of 4-19, however Kamboz and Barter were unlucky to have multiple catches dropped from their 4 overs. These drops enabled the hosts to establish a tricky total for BCU chase. Woodcock and Lambert set about the 174 set well and when Woodcock was dismissed for 32, victory looked possible. Awan (48n/o) then chipped in with the bat to build an impressive 100 partnership with Lambert (43n/o) to leave BCU wanting 35 for the win from the last 4 overs. however by this point the night had closed in and the two captains agreed to end the game as a draw to prevent any injuries. The confident chase will no doubt add to the confidence of the side leading up to what is turning out to be a hugely promising season.
23/04/10 - Birmingham Uni 4th XI - Away - 50 overs - Won
After loosing the toss BCU went out to field with a buzz about them, this came in handy as Birmingham were batting very well on a flat wicket. Frustration didn’t kick in for BCU as the bowlers kept working hard and fielders kept backing the bowlers up. With the team spirit on a high after a joke from Matt Frosty Frost. Haroon Khan got the breakthrough and the score was 102. Birmingham university used the conditions well and got themselves to 331 for 5 after their 40 overs . After a confident chase against Aston Manor BCU needed more of the same today. The captain Awan opened the batting with Debutant Haroon Khan. Khan was out very cheap leaving Awan at the crease with Ul Mulk. With a non experienced batting line up both players knew they had to put in a big effort to win the game. Ul Mulk made a very well worked 56 and contributed to a crucial partnership of 155 with Awan. With the experienced batsman gone and wickets tumbling at the other end Awan knew he had to do something special and he didn’t let himself down. The captain played the innings of his life and ended up with career best 218 n/o, hitting 35 fours and 8 DLF maximums! Birmingham university didn’t know what hit them as at the break they thought 331 would be more than enough. But Awan had other thoughts and smashed them to pieces. A very solid performance from Awan and his boys gives BCU another win for the year and BCU are in a very confident mood going into the first league game.
BUCS League
25/04/10 - Aston Uni 2nd XI - Away - 50 overs - Won
Following the heavilly one sided derby earlier in the week Aston would have wanted to put up a much better fight this time round. However it was not to be. BCU won the toss and stuck the home side straight back in to the firing line. Awan then continued his great form with the ball by knocking over 4 of the first 6 batsman for single figures. Buck also put in another solid shift to help topple Aston's top order. Barter and Razz then finished off the inning, picking up a couple of wickets a piece. Aston ended on a poor total of 96 all out. Rain threatened BCU's chase but only for a short time and after a half hour break Woodcock(36n/o) and Awan(37n/o) reached the small target in the 17th over with a confident 81 run partnership. An impressive start to the League and hopefully a long run in the competition awaits.
28/04/10 - Warwick Uni 3rd XI - Home - 50 overs - Lost
At 30-4 after 12 overs BCU were more than confident of continuing their brilliant start to the 2010 season. However Warwick's tail had other ideas, getting there side to what was still thought to be below par 184 all out from 49 overs. After a reasonable start of 24 for no loss BCU seemed to return to their old ways as the top order collapsed much like Warwick's. Unfortunately for BCU their tail did not wag in a similar fashion. Only a fifty partnership between Awan(41) and Razz(15) prevented the score being an embarrassment. BCU were bowled out in the 31st over for a dissapointing 102. Awan will expect alot better from his side when they meet Warwick University again next Wednesday at the same venue.
05/05/10 - Warwick Uni 4th XI - Home - 50 overs - Lost
At 9pm on Tuesday evening we received a phone call from Aston Manor cc's groundsman who cancelled the game for the next day as he wanted to shag his track for Saturday. Fair to say we won't be playing there next season. Luckily Shipston on Stour cc were able to accommodate us at short notice, to which we send them our thanks. After scrambling some transport together, thanks to mummy Barter for packing Tom's written licence we travelled to Shipston and got under way. Our now standard four early wickets start struck again but unlike last week we finished the job off, bowling Warwick out for 93. Early wickets of Murphy and Abdullah Awan gave Warwick hope. They took their chances and mixed with some rash shot selections were able to bowl BCU out for just 81 to win by 12 runs in what was a bad day for all batsman.
12/05/10 - Nottingham Uni 3rd XI - Away - 50 overs - Won
After a disappointing spell of results BCU needed to win the last two league games of the year to have any chance of qualification to the next round. Nottingham made a good start and managed to get to 100 for the loss of just one wicket. Buck then managed to swing the balance of the game by taking two wickets in two balls. However Notts opener Greeg continued to put runs on the board for the home side. Without a recognised spinner in the side Awan turned to Murphy in order to mix the pace up. The change of pace worked and along with a good spell from Kamboz, Notts were bowled out for 243 in the 45th over. The chase began badly as Lambert was dismissed second ball without scoring and Haider went for just 4 in the 6th over. Murphy joined Awan at the crease with the score at 28-2 and the side in trouble once again. The captain and president stayed positive and gave no opportunities to the opposition. The score board soon started to race toward the target and when Murphy was dismissed LBW on 98 and the partnership at 185, BCU needed just 30 runs to win. Awan and the rest of the middle order cautiously reach the total with Awan(103n/o) scoring the winning runs and bringing up his century in the process. A great win and hope of progression to the knock out stages are still alive.
14/05/10 - Birmingham Uni 3rd XI - Away - 50 overs - Lost
The last game of the season ended in another poor run chase from BCU. After a great performance with the ball to bowl the local rivals out for just 190. Awan topped the averages with 3-29 from his ten overs. Wickets fell far to regularly as BCU attempted the chase but fell 72 runs short as they were bowled out for 118. Razz top scoring with 30 and Barter recorded his highest total for the club of 9 in his final appearance before being tragically run out.
