Durham students retain unbeaten record

Durham UCCE retained their unbeaten record in three matches against county opposition this season despite making an unwanted entry in Worcestershire's record books.

Paul Pollard became the third century-maker in the innings as the county side amassed 631 for 6 - the third highest total in their 102 years with first-class status.

A side muscle injury caused Pollard's retirement at lunch with 131 from 201 balls and all-rounder Kabir Ali then thrashed an unbeaten 50 from 24 deliveries in the rush to a lead of 347.

But any hopes of forcing victory were beaten by a benign pitch as the students' openers closed out the match with an unbroken 164 against undemanding bowling.

Michael Brown, contracted with Middlesex, again played well for 60 - his second half-century of the game - and left-hander James Rowe hit 12 fours in his 74.

At least this compensated for Durham's ordeal in the field as Pollard set the pace for the addition of 236 at nearly six runs an over on the last day.

Resuming at 395 for 4 after hundreds by Anurag Singh and Vikram Solanki yesterday, Worcestershire lost only two wickets in two-and-a-half hours.

Pollard never seemed to be in a hurry but picked up 13 boundaries. mainly during a sixth-wicket partnership of 121 with Nick Boulton.

Boulton, previously with Somerset, made a career-best 47 until top-edging off-spinner Alex Loudon to point and Mark Thorburn had Jamie Pipe caught behind for 24 immediately after lunch.