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Day 1:

DJ Rutnagur

Middlesex (29-0) trail Cambridge Univ (247-9 dec) by 218 runs

For the sixth time in seven fixtures, Cambridge found themselves in a position to declare, leaving Middlesex to face the final eight overs of the day.

The revival was staged by Greg Loveridge, who made a cultured 60 off 86 balls, and Richard Halsall, who pillaged 47 off 60 balls. They added 103 from just 21 overs.

Day 2: Shah knock saves face

DJ Rutnagur

Cambridge University (247-9 dec & 66-1) lead Middlesex (237-7 dec) by 76 runs

On a Fenner's pitch that offered bounce at one end and spin - when it was eventually employed - Middlesex would have been embarrassed but for a third wicket partnership of 127 between acting captain Owais Shah and David Nash.

Shah, who batted 231 minutes, made his first century of the season, hitting 13 fours and a six, and Nash played doggedly for 155 minutes for his 47. They had come together after Richard Halsall had removed Andrew Strauss and David Goodchild - finding the edge in both instances - for 33.

Shamir Sheik, who worked up a fair pace for a slight lad, bowled Nash with a beauty and then four wickets went down for 77 runs. They were shared by leg-spinner Greg Loveridge and Ken Walker, the left-arm spinner, who had a long wait before been given a bowl.

Greg Loveridge, Cambridge's New Zealand all-rounder, has been brought into the British Universities side to play New Zealand at Oxford, starting on Monday.

Day 3: Cambridge warm up with county scalp

DJ Rutnagur

Cambridge Univ (247-9dec & 241-5 dec) bt Middlesex (237-7dec & 128) by 123 runs

Cambridge, as Oxford did last year, go to Lord's for the University Match, beginning next Friday, with a county scalp under their belt. Challenging Middlesex to score 252 to win in 199 minutes, including 20 overs representing the final hour, they bowled them out in 40.2 overs.

The Light Blues' last win over county opposition was in 1992, against Kent. However, yesterday's triumph was unusual if not unique, in that the undergraduates bowled out Middlesex to complete it. Most of their wins, going back a long time, have been achieved chasing a target.

For four of the team, Imran Mohammed, Richard Halsall, Greg Loveridge and Ken Walker, the victory was a rich farewell present, for they were all appearing at Fenners for the last time. Their delighted coach, Derek Randall, said that the victorious 11, plus Jonathan Lowe, who has recovered from a shin injury, will form the squad for the Lord's match.

Quentin Hughes, the captain, said: ``It was a fantastic experience. We won because our bowlers put the ball in the right areas more often than theirs did.''

On a mettlesome pitch, Middlesex's main tormentors were Samir Sheikh, the lithe Pakistani, who took four for 25, and Charles Pimlott, three for 10.

But no less credit than the bowlers took for Cambridge's emphatic win was due to James Pyeman, whose 90 not out, off 119 balls, provided the substance and momentum for a declaration, 25 minutes after lunch.

From Middlesex's point of view, defeat was less of a blot on their honour than the reaction to their dismissal of two of their batsmen, Richard Kettleborough and Andrew Strauss. Kettleborough was bowled shouldering arms to Sheikh. He kicked the leaning stump some yards and put his boot to it again as umpire Martin Reed walked up to retrieve it.

Strauss expressed dissent at being given out caught behind off Halsall, first with an endless wake at the crease and then by repeatedly pointing at his shoulder as he trudged off to the pavilion. Both offences were directly reported by county coach Ian Gould to Mike Gatting, the director of coaching, and Andrew Miller, chairman of the cricket committee. They will also figure in the umpire's report to the ECB.

Norfolk have been awarded victory over the Northamptonshire Board XI following a protest over their washed-out ECB 38-County zonal game at Finedon Dolben. Frank Kemp, the ECB cricket operations manager (recreational), said: ``It is clear that the regulations concerning pitch covering were not adhered to and this prevented play taking place.''