Southampton Solent are British Universities indoor cricket champions.

They lifted the coveted student title in impressive style, knocking out Loughborough and Cardiff before beating Northumbria in the BUCS final, writes Mike Vimpany.

Having progressed through the qualifying rounds with an unblemished record, Solent stumbled in their opening group match, losing by five wickets to Twickenham-based St Mary’s.

But there was no stopping the Southampton students once they hit their straps and beat Coventry (77-5) by four wickets.

Solent then had to beat BUCS favourites Loughborough to progress, and again the bowlers and fielders obliged reducing the MCCU side from 61-0 to 75 all out in an amazing collapse.

Openers Rob Walters (25) and Richard Locke (25) both retired as Solent coasted to a six-wicket win.

Solent faced more powerful MCCU opposition in the semi-final, but with Walters and Locke prominent again, Solent swept to another six-wicket victory.

Despite three impressive performances, Solent went into the final as underdogs against a Northumbria side that had won 15 consecutive BUCS games.

But again Solent’s out-cricket peaked, Bashley (Rydal) skipper Michael Porter, bowling leg spin, sending down a rare indoor cricket maiden as Northumbria were restricted to 95-4.

Walters and Locke again provided the half-century platform in the run-chase, both retiring before skipper Ollie Blandford scored the winning runs with more than an over to spare.

It meant Solent won their last three Headingly matches without losing a wicket.

Rob Walters retired with 25 or more in all five tournament games in Leeds.

Combined with the performance of the women's in reaching the Ladies semi-final last week, Solent can justly regard themselves as the best indoor six-a-side cricket university in the country.