UNIVERSITY of Exeter cricket boss Julian Wyatt hopes the women's team will translate their indoor success outdoors after reaching the finals of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Indoor Cricket Championships.

The women beat Southampton but lost to Birmingham and Loughborough in Pool B at Lord's.

Wyatt said: "It was a positive experience for the women and something we must carry forward to the outdoor season."

In their first match against Birmingham, Exeter lost their last wicket on the final ball of the innings, with sports scholar Phoebe Graham top-scoring with 29 in their total of 99.

Birmingham reached the match-winning score of 100 for five off the final ball to win by one wicket.

Exeter then beat Southampton by six wickets after bowling them out for 92 and reaching their target without losing a wicket.

Exeter needed to beat Loughborough to have any chance of reaching the final but lost by five wickets.

They made 72 for four, with Robinson scoring 30 not out, but Loughborough eased home on 73 for one.

The men's team also reached the BUCS indoor final, and took on Newcastle and Sheffield in their pool at Lord's yesterday. Exeter was the only university to have both their men's and women's squads qualify for the finals.