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Day 1: Cambridge fall back

Second day of three: Northants (323-4 dec & 107-2) lead Cambridge Univ (181-4dec) by 249 runs

The contrast in quality of Cambridge University's batting and bowling has been a feature of their cricket at Fenner's this season.

Never has the discrepancy in the ease with which they score their runs and the difficulty they experience in taking county wickets been more apparent than against Northamptonshire.

Cambridge progressed to the relative prosperity of a tea-time 181 for four when captain Quentin Hughes declared 142 runs behind on first innings.

In the remaining two hours the University then lost ground as Northamptonshire scored at three runs an over to reach 107 for two and finish the day 249 runs ahead.

The bulk of the University runs had come again from Imraan Mohammed (82) and James Pyemont (52).

Day 2: Seven-year itch goes on

Cambridge Univ (181-4dec & 251-7) drew with Northamptonshire (323-4dec & 169-2dec)

Ken Walker's maiden century offered Cambridge University the briefest glimpse of victory over Northants yesterday.

While the 28-year-old South African graduate was scoring 134 and sharing a 32-over stand of 132 with Ben Collins, it seemed the University's seven-year wait for a win against a county side might be about to end. But student expectations always exceeded reality and although the target had risen to 140 from the final 20 overs and 77 from the last 10, they were still prepared to sacrifice wickets.

Thus both Walker and Collins were out in quick succession and in the end it was Northants who were fancying their chances of winning when rain washed out the game with six overs remaining.

The whole scenario had been made possible by acting captain Tony Penberthy's decision to set a challenging 312 to win in 254 minutes plus 20 overs on what was still a reliable, easy-paced pitch.

The Cambridge start had been sound rather than spectacular but Walker and Collins closed the gap. Walker took three balls to move through the 90s, reaching his century with his 13th four from 200 deliveries. The chance had gone by the time both were out and Cambridge must have been relieved when rain gave them the draw their efforts deserved.