Date-stamped : 18 May95 - 10:27 Benson and Hedges Cup Round 5 : Middlesex v Combined Universities Lord's, 15(?), 16, 17 May 1995 Brown colours worrying day - Paul Newman Combined Universities (120-4 from 35.2 overs) need 157 to beat Middlesex (276-8) MIDDLESEX did all they could yesterday to earn their place in the Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-finals and, at the same time, ex- posed the folly in the competition`s return to a group format this season by setting up what should be a conclusive victory over the Combined Universities. Now they must wait for the completion of hostilities today at Lord`s and in the match between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire be- fore learning their fate. Four wins from five group games should be enough to guarantee progress in any competition. But the myopic tendency among the counties, who forced a premature return to the long-winded cup qualifying stages, has caused a situation whereby just such a success rate may not be enough. If Glamorgan turn a promising position into victory at Swansea and Middlesex complete the formalities at Lord`s, then net run rate will be required to perm two from three teams on eight points. It would certainly be harsh on Middlesex if a solitary defeat - at the hands of Gloucestershire - proved their undoing. Their plan yesterday was to pile on as many runs as possible after winning the toss in the hope of improving a run rate inferior to Glamorgan`s and Gloucestershire`s, but the tena- city of the Universities made that more difficult than their hosts had imagined. At 143 for five it even looked as though the students were in with a chance of matching their sterling performance against Hampshire until Keith Brown, who so often steps out of the chorus line to take a leading role when it most matters, led Middlesex to a position of near impregnability. Brown, now back to the batting fluency which has surely been ad- versely affected by his role over the last three years as a wick- etkeeper all-rounder, was rarely pretty in compiling 75 off just 58 balls but mightily effective. Two successive sixes off Simon Renshaw flew over the short grandstand boundary and any apprehen- sion in the Middlesex ranks was duly dispelled. Brown`s efforts were by no means solely responsible, Dion Nash the perfect foil in contributing 54 to a stand of 199 from 97 balls for the sixth wicket, a Middlesex competition record. A lively cameo from Toby Peirce, meanwhile, ensured respectabili- ty for the students and left Middlesex, after rain ended play early, needing to wrap up the job quickly in the remaining 19.4 overs today before casting anxious eyes to the west. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)