Leeds/Bradford MCCU Vs. Lancashire: Friendly.

Lancashire complete victory over Leeds/Bradford MCCU.

Stephen Parry played a captains role
taking 5-70 in Lancashire's victory.

Lancashire reached an inevitable win today over Leeds/Bradford MCCU by 8 wickets, but for a long time it appeared as if this margin would be less impressive thanks to the resistance mounted by the hosts.

Luis Reece and Nicholas Gubbins continued to add to the fourth wicket partnership, which was already worth 55, frustrating Lancashire's bowlers throughout the morning session. Lancashire are perfectly aware of the formers capabilities as he is a regular figure in the second XI, having played alongside many of Lancashire's bowlers in this encounter.

The impressive batting of Leeds/Bradford MCCU appeared as if it was going to eliminate the result that had been written, based on their first innings performance, which saw them flop to 116 all out. Gubbins was eventually out for 82, ending a stand worth 135, as Jordan Clark took his second wicket of the innings.

Now 219-4 the home side had no reason not to see out the rest of the day, but they lost control after the fourth wicket fell - losing seven wickets for 46 runs.

Clark then removed Reece for 77, finishing with figures of 3-40.

From this point onwards the hosts failed to seize the initiative - with the next highest score coming from Alex MacQueen with 11. Stephen Parry continued to play a captains role in this fixture, tearing through the middle-lower order of the opponents and achieving a five-wicket haul in the second innings.

Despite the cluster of wickets that fell in the afternoon session, Lancashire were forced to bat again, needing just 73 for victory. It is fair to say that Tom Smith had an indifferent first innings, managing just five on his return from injury, but in the chase he reached 27 before he was dismissed by Harry Rouse. 

Karl Brown fell one run short of his fifty in the first innings, but was out first in the Lancashire chase, having smashed 32 from just 22 deliveries.

With both openers removed, Andrea Agathangelou and Stephen Moore were left to see Lancashire over the finish line, but this was delayed by the teatime interval, which was taken with just eight runs needed and for the home side eight wickets, although the former was much more likely.

Upon resuming play the matter of which would be achieved, if it was ever in doubt, was settled conclusively by Moore who smashed a maximum to give Lancashire victory.