SUDBROOK cricketer Mark O'Leary was yesterday (Tuesday 23rd June) due to see his Cardiff MCC Universities squad walk out at Lord's for the Challenge Final.

The event is the culmination of an outstanding season for O'Leary's team that finished six points ahead of Leeds/Bradford to take the league title.

The MCCU scheme is funded by the famous MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) to enable cricketers with the potential to gain professional contracts with England and Wales Cricket Board Counties to also attend full time undergraduate and postgraduate courses at one of the universities that make up the scheme.

"There have been some outstanding individual performances but the key to our success has been the outstanding team ethos," O'Leary said.

"There are many talented players in the squad who will all be available next year as well.

"With the professional infrastructure we now have at the centre, players receive the highest level of support from Cardiff Met's strength and conditioning, sports psychology, performance analysis, recovery and massage teams and this has been of significant benefit."