Cricket at the University of Exeter

About Cricket at Exeter

The University of Exeter Cricket Club (EUCC) is one of the most historic and well-resourced cricket clubs in South West university sport. With access to Exeter Cricket Club's ground — a quality facility with grass and artificial practice surfaces — and a strong tradition of producing county-level players, EUCC occupies a distinctive place in the Exeter sporting landscape. The club fields men's first, second, and third XIs alongside a growing women's programme in BUCS South West competitions. BUCS cricket is played in T20 and 50-over formats with fixtures running from April through June. The club runs an annual spring tour as part of a long tradition of combining serious cricket with strong social experience.

Club History

EUCC has a long history at the university, with particularly strong periods when multiple alumni went on to play county cricket for Devon and other county sides. The women's section was formalised in the 2010s and grew rapidly as women's cricket received greater national investment. The partnership with Exeter Cricket Club provides EUCC with quality facilities for major home fixtures and access to net practice on grass and artificial surfaces.

Joining the Cricket Club

Try-outs take place in September for both men's and women's teams across multiple sessions. Players are assessed batting, bowling, and fielding. The women's team actively recruits students transitioning from soft ball cricket — coaching is provided to bridge the technique gap. EUCC membership includes access to net sessions at the Exeter Cricket Club ground, coaching support, and BUCS registration. Players should bring batting and wicket-keeping gloves if they have them; bats and other kit are available from the club store.

Training

Indoor nets run February–March at the Sports Park indoor cricket facility. Outdoor training starts April with twice-weekly sessions (Tuesday evening at the Exeter Cricket Club ground and Saturday morning). Specialist coaching sessions for fast bowlers, spinners, and batters run separately from general squad training throughout the outdoor season. BUCS fixtures on Wednesday afternoons from April to June.

BUCS Competition

EUCC competes in the BUCS South West Cricket Conference in T20 and longer-format matches. Women's cricket competes primarily in BUCS T20 format. Wednesday afternoon fixtures run April to June with the top South West teams advancing to BUCS Cricket Championship knockout rounds. EUCC also arranges a spring tour and end-of-season friendlies against Devon club sides that supplement the BUCS programme.

Teams

Highlights & Alumni

EUCC men's 1st XI compete at the top of BUCS South West and have produced Devon first team cricketers and players with county second XI experience. The women's team has competitive results in BUCS Women's T20. The club has a strong touring tradition and an active social programme that makes EUCC one of the most socially cohesive clubs at the university.

Tips for Prospective Members

• Come to try-outs even if you've only played soft ball cricket — the women's programme specifically coaches the hard ball transition
• The Exeter Cricket Club ground access is excellent — use the net sessions throughout the year, not just immediately before matches
• April to June is the main outdoor season — manage exam schedule carefully around Wednesday afternoon fixtures
• The tour is a highlight of EUCC life — start saving early if you want to join it
• Pennsylvania Road and Heavitree are most practical for cricket — large group houses suit the club's strong social culture

Popular Areas for Cricket Players

Most University of Exeter cricket players live in one of these student areas — all within easy reach of Streatham Campus and Sports Park:

Related Sports at Exeter University

If you play cricket you may also be interested in these Exeter University clubs:

Frequently Asked Questions