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Leeds Beckett cricketers triumph at Home of Cricket
The Leeds Bradford side opted to bat first and posted an impressive score of 366 for 4 with Billy Root (Leeds Beckett student and brother of England international Joe) achieving 100 runs from only 58 balls. Root’s final tally was an impressive 135 and the same innings saw him surpass 1000 runs for the season; the only Leeds MCCU player to ever do so. Leeds Beckett students Steve Bullen and Logan Weston also posted notable scores of 86 and 67 respectively.
PHOTO: @Rootdog22 celebrates his thrilling 58-ball century at Lord's today. @joeroot05 will be proud! pic.twitter.com/FnVtBmT7BW
— Lord's Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 23, 2015
In response the opposition from South Wales started poorly losing a wicket in only the 2nd over. The Cardiff side continued to struggle against a dominant fielding effort from Leeds Bradford, failing to complete their full 50 overs they were all out for 249 from 40.4 overs. The result: Leeds Bradford MCCU won by 117 runs, a well-deserved victory from a team who have consistently outperformed throughout the year.
Staff and Governors from both Leeds Beckett and University of Leeds went down to London to support the team. Speaking after the final, Head of the Board of Governors at Leeds Beckett, David Lowen commented: "It was both pleasure and privilege to watch Leeds Beckett cricketers provide the backbone of the Leeds/Bradford team to win the MCC Universities Challenge Cup at Lord's, beating Cardiff MCCU by a wide margin. Man of the Match Billy Root scored 135 off 69 deliveries (making even the recent England/New Zealand scoring rates look modest). This performance and the sustained team excellence through the season bring enormous kudos and respect to our University and deliver valuable reputational benefits. Congratulations to all the Leeds Beckett students involved in the Final."
WINNNNNN!!! Cardiff all out 249 in 40.4 overs. Win by 117 runs. Top performance by the whole team.
— LeedsBradford MCCU (@Leedsmccu) June 23, 2015
Head of Sport Sally Nickson added: "I was delighted to join players, coaches and officials of Leeds/ Bradford MCCU at the 'Home of Cricket' today to watch some truly first class cricket and celebrate an amazing and well deserved season end win. Thank you and well done to all involved at Leeds Beckett University."
The 10 Leeds Beckett University students that are part of the Leeds Bradford MCCU squad are: Steve Bullen, Chris Wakefield, Billy Root, Logan Weston, Alex Lilley, Ryan McKendry, Liam Watkinson, Kristian Martin, Archie Ogden and Kieran Grundy.
Here's the latest honours board @HomeOfCricket. @Rootdog22 actually put this up last night. #confident pic.twitter.com/lR6qYGtMmv
— LeedsBradford MCCU (@Leedsmccu) June 23, 2015
Since 2005, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has funded six university cricket academies in England and Wales – the MCC Universities (MCCUs). The MCCUs are at Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Leeds, Loughborough and Oxford, and incorporate a total of thirteen institutions.
The MCCUs aim to give talented young cricketers the ability to receive top-level coaching and playing opportunities whilst furthering their education. Leeds Bradford MCCU is a squad comprised of students from Bradford College, Leeds Beckett University, Bradford University and the University of Leeds.
Leeds Bradford MCCU have a proud history with many cricketers going on to play professionally with a county and sometimes even internationally. A few alumni include Nottinghamshire and England left-arm fast bowler Harry Gurney; Yorkshire CCC seamer Steve Patterson, Lancashire CCC batsman Luis Reece and England Ladies’ Kate Cross.