After their smooth passage through in November, the University of Manchester Cricket Club’s crack Indoor Squad returned to Headingley for the semi-final of the National Indoor Competition. Again it was an early start at a frozen Armitage Centre, but this was no obstacle as the side got to Leeds in good time.

The draw was made and we were put into a group with Newcastle and Northumbria. We had cleverly avoided Leeds Met, Durham and Sheffield Hallam who comprised the “Group of Death”.

First up was Newcastle. Having won the toss again, Mike Taylor asked his opposite number of have a bat. It proved a shrewd decision after exceptionally tight bowling from Alex Saunders and a double-wicket over from Lilley reduced Newcastle to 18-3. Although Barrowman and Austin spared total embarrassment Hassan Khan soon dismissed one and caught the other, and Newcastle were dumped all out for 50.

Danny Hawes and Khan opened the batting for the UMCC and immediately started playing intelligent indoor cricket. Proceeding along at five-an-over, the Newcastle attack could do nothing, no matter how much their captain switched bowlers. In the end, Khan scored the winning runs at the end of the tenth over, for no wickets. Both he and Hawes were now yet to be dismissed in two matches, an ominous sign for the rest of the competition.

After a relaxing break, the UMCC faced Northumbria in their crunch game. Win, and they’d be packing their bags for Lord’s. Lose, and their fate would be out of their hands. Taylor did as he did best and again asked his opposition to bat. But, despite James Lilley taking a wicket in his first over, the game showed signs of getting away from Manchester as Northumbria put together a decent partnership. Lilley had Tom Neville caught behind on 11 but the umpire couldn’t hear the very audible snick and called wide. Tempers were frayed and the aforementioned Neville slapped 16
from a Taylor over to retire.

But once he was gone the house fell down. Once again, Hassan Khan led the demolition with a couple of wickets and a run-out off his bowling. Neville’s return to the crease lasted one ball as Taylor ended with two in two and Northumbria ended up with only 61 after their fine start.

Once again, Hawes and Khan opened up and once again they started serenely. Being aided by the generosity of the Northumbria attack which leaked 21 extras, the two raced away to their target after just 7.2 overs, Hawes ending it with a slap into the wall. Over the two games, Hawes had scored 37*, Khan 46*, both were unbeaten in three games. However, Abhi Navan, due to depart for South Africa the next morning, was left slightly disappointed that he hadn’t had the chance to bat and especially have his picture taken.

The indoor squad march onto NW8 with great hope for a memorable weekend. With Leeds Met also progressing from their section, it will certainly be tough, but Manchester have as good a chance as any of victory if their outstanding form continues.

By Greg Tomlinson:

It was an early start with a 7am meet at the Armitage Centre for the University of Manchester Cricket Club indoor squad as they headed to Headingley looking to improve on last year’s disappointing performance.

The draw was made and we were grouped with Leeds and the University of West England (Bristol Poly) and after a short wait skipper Michael Taylor proved he was a top rate tosser and with a strong pace attack to call on inserted Leeds on a very green plastic wicket. James Lilley got things going with a tight spell of left arm swing bowling (1 for 14) and, with Alex Saunders (2 for 13), managed to rattle the Leeds top order leaving them struggling at 29 for 4. Brief resistance for Leeds came from Adair, their only player to reach double figures, who made 31 before Hasan Khan (2 for 9), some good fielding and tight bowling from Mike Taylor resulted in Leeds being bowled out for just 53 after only 10 overs.

Danny Hawes and Hasan Khan set about the U.M.C.C reply and after an encouraging start (and some wayward bowling), Danny fell caught behind for 3. Abhi and Hasan took us towards our target, and although Hasan fell to a dubious L.B.W decision for 12, Abhi continued to 19 not out and was well supported by James Lilley with 5 not out as we reached our target with 4.3 overs remaining. A great start to the day set up by a brilliant bowling performance and backed up by excellent fielding and a well thought out reply with the bat leading to victory over the side many considered to be our biggest threat in our section of the draw. Abhi was also delighted by completing his first indoor match for UMCC without running anyone (Hasan) out.

After little over an hour the U.M.C.C were back in action, this time against Bristol Polytechnic knowing that a win would ensure a place in the next round. Skipper Mike Taylor enhanced his reputation as a tosser and again inserted the opposition. After a great start from James Lilley (1 for 10) with just three runs coming from his first over, Bristol Poly were further restricted when Mike Taylor (2 for 19) came on and took a wicket with his very first ball. More tight bowling along with some truly horrendous running and sharp work from Danny Hawes restricted Bristol Poly to 58 all out.

Hasan and Danny then set about sending the U.M.C.C through in style and obliged with a solid performance romping home without loss after just 7.2 overs with Hasan unbeaten on 28 and Danny not out on 24. A good day all around for the U.M.C.C who now have the next round to look forward to in early Feburary.

We have finalised the times for training. For more information, please consult the Training tab on the side menu.

The minutes from the club's meeting with Samurai is available at the following link:

http://www.docubate.com/doc.mvc/17777272

The official report of the UMCC tour, written by Richard Paton, is now available via the Tour tab.

The minutes for the committee meeting which took place on the 1st June are now available at the following link:

http://www.docubate.com/doc.mvc/16289519

Congratulations to the new Committee elected at the AGM:

Club Captain: Ben Davies
Vice Captain: Will Symon
Treasurer: Rob Ellis
1st XI captain: Mike Taylor
2nd XI captain: Dave Hort
3rd XI captain: Joel Plaja
Social Secretary: Bruce Millington
Kit & Tour Secretary: Greg Tomlinson
Communications Secretaries: James Tuplin and Loz Poulter
Web & Database Secretary: Ali Brookman
Fixtures Secretary: Tom Gunter
Old Boys Secretary: Sam Wakefield

Despite a lack of recent sexual action involving Paton and Unwin, her inspiration was there for everyone to see as the 'Paton has pulled Jess Unwin Twice' VIII finally got their first win.
On winning the toss with the Fuhrer, Paton decided to bowl. Will Eadon, fresh from the grandparents house and a dirty shag or two over the weekend, opened up and bowled a tight line ( reminescent of Unwin's sexual desires beyond a pull), resulting in the KKK's superstar batter Saunders running out Joel and then being triggered by Dom Jolly's new lover, Greg. This brought Rhyddian and the Fuehrer to the crease. Rhyddian, clearly inspired by the diabolical performance of his countrymen's rugby team last weekend, stuck in there and played some cracking shots, whilst Blackburn, taking revenge for the Holocaust, cleaned up the Fuhrer not long after. Rhyddian battled on, inpired by future housemate Moscow's continued pursuit of Van Russeldt, whilst his partners Simon and Craig, making his IPL debut after Paz found him in the back of a vsn full of donner meat, didn't last long, leaving Rhyddian as last man standing. Rhyddian carried on, including leaving one ball on the roof of the korfball court, a clear sign that he was hoping to hit one of them later on, before being caught by the Silver Fox, who had earlier had his most important parts continually smashed into by Rhyddian. The KKK finished with 62.
Neeraj and Yesh opened up for Paton. After a slow start, with Rhyddian swinging the ball like a punch he would aim at fellow popstar Gareth Gates, Neeraj eventually was stumpted, with his head as far up in the air as Sam Wakefield's head is when seeing someone taller than 2 foot. Fresh from tactical advice from Senior, Paton marched to the wocket, nudging 3's off the edge off his bat. Yesh didn't want to run, his smile clearly impeding his ability to think logically. He eventually his his wicked, bringing Blackers to the crease. He and Paton hung around, knocking runs around with Blackers hitting a couple of shots through the v in anger after his hockey girl cancelled on him on Saturday night, before Paton was triggered playing across the line. The Silver Fox, fresh from checking out the Korfball girls and having a cheeky sleaze, came to the crease and along with Blackburn finished the job off, allowing Paton his first win.
In his interview after the game, Paton was noted as saying that he was desperate for his team's record not to mirror that of him and Unwin, 0 - 3, (shags and pulls)! He was clearly delighted. The fuhrer was ruing the inclusion of a Jew in Paton's team, who was clearly on a revenge misson after World War 2.

As the IPL enters its final few weeks pretournament favourites The Dave Hort Love Party have suffered dearly due to the lass of their start over seas player Fleishman. With two consecutive losses their title chances have come to an end.
The Augustum Mughli Indians have made a late surge, making use of some back door loop holes in the tournament regulations to not only recruit new players but also prevent other teams using substitute players. Their Captain Mark Blackburn never far from controversy has received a barrage of criticism for this so called 'cheating'. Nevertheless they should still be out of the race as the team of whores remain unbeaten.
There is no doubt the IPL is theirs to lose.

AS it was a while ago and we were scoring ourselves theres not much details to be had, despite that I can remember the fact that Robbo took 4 wickets, Hillman scored 48 and David Gregory scored 20 odd, extras were huge for both sides, the Long Handles chase down 106 after mid innings collaspe. That’s all folks