Date-stamped : 10 May97 - 06:18 Hundred per cent to Anurag By Doug Ibbotson at Fenner`s Essex (22-0) trail Cambridge Univ (285-9 dec) by 263 runs THIS is the examination season in Cambridge and a time of reaffirmation at Fenner`s, where only the better University players match county professionals who, in consequence, may be flattered by results. There were some in each category yesterday of whom it might be said: "Can do better". But not Cambridge century-maker Anurag Singh or Essex spinner Peter Such who, on a generally amiable pitch, bowled 28 overs for 41 runs and claimed two wickets. Seam bowling colleague Danny Law at one point looked like flunking as he struggled to overcome the "yips" on his run-up and conceded 54 runs without success in 11 overs. But there was the odd ball of extra pace that troubled the batsmen and when the hitherto impeccable Ed Smith was bowled essaying a languid drive, Law`s confidence improved markedly. Within seven overs he had claimed four more wickets, the first that of the usually sound Will House, who slashed a catch to Andrew Hibbert at second slip. Meanwhile, top marks to Anurag, Warwickshire`s student professional and Cambridge captain, accomplished against seam and warily correct under the nagging accuracy of Such and, to a lesser degree, Paul Grayson. He fashioned a chanceless century off 170 balls with 10 fours and reached 134 before departing and declaring. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Hughes surprise for Essex By Doug Ibbotson at Fenner`s Second day of three: Essex (222-3) trail Cambridge Univ (285-9) by 63 runs RENEWAL of the perennial debate on the status of competition between varsity and county - first class or not - was inevitable at Fenner`s yesterday as play began after the loss of two hours following showers. What evolved was a charivari of batting and bowling by numbers, or virtual reality net practice. It was difficult to see who, if anyone, gained much from the experience. Essex, having brought two players unfledged in the first- class game, Graham Napier, a batsman, and all-rounder Dan Wilson, cannot have been greatly edified by an opening partnership of 136 between captain Paul Prichard (72) and Darren Robinson (59). The only curiosity, indeed, was that both fell to Quentin Hughes, an occasional off-spinner and one of seven bowlers deployed by the Varsity. This may have surprised captain Anurag Khan more than the confirmation that when Ed How gets his act together he can bowl with impressive confidence and control to a field comprising only mid-on and long leg on the leg side. The university captain may also have been persuaded that when Will House gets his act together he is a fine batsman, an athletic fielder and should concentrate on this rather than dispensing medium-paced seamers short of a length. Meanwhile on with the motley, and Essex, who have a fair idea what Paul Grayson and Danny Law can do with the bat, trundled them out at three and four. Grayson (38) honed his technique on 70 practice balls before giving House, off Jim Freeth, his second catch of the innings, and Law, dropped at square leg off the inspired Hughes, opened up and ended the day undefeated on 39. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Peters provides lighter touch By Doug Ibbotson at Fenner`s Cambridge Univ (285-9 dec & 91-6) drew with Essex (403-5 dec) FOR most of the day, watching paint dry, grass grow and petals drift evoked feverish interest. The cricket was so meaningless that, though entry to the ground was free, spectators were demanding a rebate. Not until after the tea interval when Cambridge, with eight wickets intact and needing only 70 to make Essex bat again, unaccountably began to collapse, did the contest come to life. The University seemed unsettled by a curiously shuffled batting order and by the time accomplished opener Ed Smith appeared at No 8, they were still 48 short on the immediate objective with some 24 overs in prospect. Happily for them Smith, in company with the resolute Quentin Hughes (43 not out) saw them home at 5.30 by mutual consent with 10 more overs still available. All of which wiped some of the yoke from the face of Paul Prichard, who had declined to restore interest to this rain- affected match when the county began the day just 63 runs behind with seven wickets in hand. Instead, after Essex had added a leisurely 77 in the 24 overs available before lunch, he allowed Stephen Peters to complete his second century in successive years on the ground. At the time, this was a rare bonus shining from the boredom; sparkling with fluent strokes that brought the 18- year-old 16 fours and two sixes off 103 balls. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)