Students just 10 balls away from claiming draw

A DRAMATIC climax at the College Field saw the MCC clinch their second tour victory with just 10 balls to spare against Elizabeth College yesterday. The school's last wicket pairing of Jonathan Wilkes-Green and Ollie Dowding frustrated the visitors for a lengthy period before the former finally succumbed to temptation to the second ball of the penultimate over.

Having made 38 with a couple of forceful boundaries late on in his innings, Wilkes-Green fancied his chances of reaching a half-century before the close.

However, he failed to clear Dan Beynon at fairly deep mid-wicket when attempting to launch off-spinner Matt Dixon over the top and the wicket gave the MCC victory by 109 runs.

Wilkes-Green's contribution was easily the highest score for the hosts with openers Matt Copeland and Jamie Nussbaumer accumulating 17 apiece, while Simon de la Rue chipped in with 18.

Earlier in the day, the MCC's top three had all reached half-centuries as they piled on 247.

Openers Beynon and Will Heath made 63 and 62 respectively while Mark Bredell top scored with 73.

Pick of the bowlers was undoubtedly Michael Strong who ripped through the College middle-order, taking three for 23 from his 11 overs.

The MCC play Guernsey today at the KGV.