Final day: Warwickshire defeated Cambridge UCCE by 18 runs

Defeat for Warwickshire would no doubt have been perceived as an embarrassment.

They snaked home, it is true, but this was a fine cricket match, played in an excellent spirit, and Warwickshire have no cause for prolonged self-criticism.

The better side won but Cambridge UCCE also did themselves great credit with a performance that promises much for the collective and individual futures of their side.

Victory for the students was a distinct possibility up until three overs from the close. Tobias Hembry (101 balls, eight fours and two sixes), building on the excellent foundations provided by Arfan Akram and Richard Timms, finally lofted to longoff, thereby exposing a weak tail and conceding defeat.

Few would have begrudged victory for the students. The positive manner in which they approached every session of the match warranted success and, one or two players apart, these teams were pretty evenly matched.

It would be wrong, however, to read too much into Warwickshire's narrow escape. Their side in this match was unusually inexperienced, and a contest containing three declarations is always prone to freak results.

Nor would captain Michael Powell have played things in quite the same manner had this been a match of more consequence. The main seamers were kept back in order to provide extended workouts for the likes of Jonathan Trott and Jim Troughton. Warwickshire appeared happy for the match to run the full distance.

But that the Cambridge batsmen felt this was the weakest attack of a first-class county they had faced is telling. A professional side should be able to restrict students to under 300 in a couple of sessions. The paucity of bowling resources at Edgbaston is still apparent.

Nick Warren was the pick of the seamers. His excellent final spell proved to be the difference between the sides and, if he could only tighten up his line and length a fraction he could be a fine county seamer.

Naqaash Tahir also bowled decently, finding a little swing, and occasionally some bounce. He is still feeling his way back to full fitness, however, and will improve. Tom Mees, however, was disappointing.

With Cambridge UCCE declaring overnight, Warwickshire took the opportunity to give the batsmen who missed out first time around more another chance.

Ian Westwood (85 balls, eight fours), driving beautifully, took the opportunity with both hands.

It was an important innings for Westwood. He may have the reputation as a blocker but here he demonstrated another aspect to his batting and helped his side extend their lead in quick time, ably supported by the silky skills of Alex Loudon.

As a result Westwood is highly likely to win a place in the team for the Championship match against Hampshire at Stratford starting tomorrow.

Jim Troughton, who faced only one ball in this match, is poised to replace Ashley Giles.

Moeen Ali, who in the first innings became the second youngest player to register a first-class half-century for Warwickshire (Tom Cartwright is the youngest), has also forced himself into the equation, though a lack of runs at second XI level may cost him.

Cambridge UCCE were asked to score 315 from 70 overs to win; a target normally well beyond contemplation in such fixtures.

But fine batting by Timms, who has a summer contract with Somerset, Akram, Hembry and the deeply impressive Chris Wright took the hosts to the brink and showed up a few chinks in Warwickshire's armour in the process.

Stuart Eustace and Paul Harrison again shared the wicketkeeping duties. Both appear capable deputies for Tony Frost, though Eustace was perhaps the more comfortable standing up to the spinners and the mediumpace of Trott.

If things do work out for Eustace, it will be a credit to his initiative and determination as much as anything. It is rare for a 26-year-old to make a first-class debut but Eustace could feel justifiably proud of his performance.

"I was thinking of writing to the club anyway to remind them I was available," he said last night. "But then the Keith Piper thing blew up in the press, so I faxed a letter to the team hotel. I had an answer within 45 minutes and here I am.

"I had given up on a career in first-class cricket. I played for several county second teams but broke my hand three seasons ago playing for Derbyshire and had to get a normal job. Even if this is the only first-class game I ever play, I've enjoyed it. I'd certainly jump at the chance if Warwickshire offer me anything."