Southampton Solent University have excelled in the BUCS indoor cricket championships, writes MIKE VIMPANY.

The men’s team have qualified for this weekend’s national finals and the girls side claimed the bronze medal in the women’s competition.

Led by Bashley (Rydal) skipper Michael Porter, Solent men continued their excellent qualifying group form at Fleming Park by winning all three of their regional play-off matches in Wales, beating Canterbury, UCL and Hertfordshire in low scoring affairs.

They now go forward to the national finals at Headingly on Saturday, where they are up against St Mary’s, Loughborough and Coventry.

Cardiff Met, Hertfordshire, Northumbria and Sheffield Hallam are in the other group.

Solent girls, pictured, beat Birmingham and Kent, but lost to Durham in their group.

They qualified for the quarter-finals, but lost by one wicket to Loughborough, the eventual winners.

Third place is Solent’s best ever finish in the BUCS Women’s Championship.