Universities' tournament hit by rain

Date released: 5 September 2008

The MCC Universities side have made it through to the final of the Universities Triangular tournament in Loughborough, despite the competition being beset by rain.

The Club's Universities side are a selection of players from MCC's six University Centres of Cricketing Excellence: Cambridge, Cardiff/Glamorgan, Durham, Leeds/Bradford, Loughborough and Oxford.

Puddles on the pitch at Loughborough They will face the touring USSA (University Sports South Africa) team in the final after the England U19s side were the unfortunate team to miss out.

Three of the six fixtures in the triangular tournament were abandoned due to the rain in Loughborough.

When the teams managed to get some play completed, the USSA side set the standard, winning three of their four matches.

The MCC Universities side were the team most frustrated by the rain, losing three of their four matches to the weather and the fourth to the USSA side.

With three points for an abandonded match, England U19s two defeats to USSA cost them a place in Sunday's final.

Fingers crossed for a dry day on Sunday - with all three sets of players gaining invaluable experience from playing against strong overseas opposition.