9th & 10th APRIL TOUR MATCH REPORT — COSTA DEL SOL XI V TOTTERIDGE MILLHILLIANS
An extremely warm April weekend saw Totteridge Millhillians CC from North London play The Costa Del Sol Elevens at the New Cartama Oval. Batting first the visitors were undone by some excellent swing and seam bowling by the Costa opening bowlers Asif Tarar and Brian Barrett and soon were 5 wickets down for 48 runs.
Various batsmen got starts but couldn’t go on. Neil Dennison restored some stability with a well played 36 but the visitors could only finish with 128 runs in 35 overs. Shoaib Hussein opened the batting and was in fine form hitting boundaries at will while 3 wickets fell around him and finished with 75 not out. The Costa del Sol Eleven knocked of the runs in 20 overs to seal an emphatic victory.
The second match on the Sunday saw a different performance from the visiting team who inserted the Costa del Sol Eleven and proceeded to show some quality, bowling tight and fielding well they had the batting side 2 wickets down with 26 runs on the board. Opener Previn Menon with Nushan Alwis grinded out a cautious partnership and were 61 at the mid interval.
Things changed after the drinks break with 2 run outs and some powerful shots being played with gay abandon. Asad and Brian Barrett scored well deserved 40’s amidst some chaotic running between the wickets. The total stood at 178 after 35 overs and the visitors were up for the chase. The visitors started strongly and piled on the runs until a dubious umpiring decision swung the game. With 4 wickets down James Hutchinson came to the crease and batted quite brilliantly scoring 62 in just 8 overs which brought the visitors a comfortable victory in 31 overs
With the spoils shared it was a fitting end to a competitive tour played in excellent weather and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone that took part. Anyone wishing to play, score or umpire please contact Previn on 606526618 or email previnm@hotmail.com