Andersson on charge to steer Yorkies into final
MIDDLESEX all-rounder Martin Andersson served notice of his talents as his composed ton fired Leeds/ Bradford into the BUCS Final at the expense of Loughborough in a four-run thriller.
Steve Bullen and Henry Thompson scored halfcenturies but Andersson, with 138 runs off 150 balls, drove Leeds/Bradford on to 294-5.
Some fine middle-order batting from Charles Lowen (51) and Robbie White (66) dragged Loughborough into the contest – but they ran out of overs at the death.
In an equally exciting contest at Radley College, Cardiff booked their place in the final after beating Oxford with nine runs to spare.
Cardiff’s innings started slowly, but their strike rate improved as the day wore on and Sean Griffiths required just 49 balls for his knock of 64.
His efforts bolstered the score to 256-7, though Oxford needed 266 in reply via Duckworth-Lewis and their innings started miserably as Malcolm Lake was dismissed for a duck.
Steve Leach and Calvin Dickinson proceeded to put on a 174-run partnership but Kamau Leverock – nephew of former Bermuda World Cup spinner Dwayne – then ran riot.
The left-arm seamer tore through Oxford’s order to the tune of 5-42.
It was then left for Andrew Westphal to wrap up the ninerun win with the final scalp of Sam Weller.
However, Loughborough and Oxford ensured they will be competing in the MCCU Challenge Final on June 21.
They confirmed their respective first and secondplace finishes in the two-day Championship on Friday last week.
The standout performance in the final round of fixtures was undoubtedly Middlesex youngster White’s 174 as Loughborough were held to a draw by Leeds/Bradford.