There were three games associated with the ECCL Leagues this weekend that started with a run festival in Torrevieja. The normally low scoring pitch saw over 500 runs scored in a ECCL Division Two contest between Torrevieja and Levante II.
Batting first the visitors scored an impressive 250 for 7 to accrue maximum batting points, a challenging feat at the best of times on the Torry wicket. Graham Hunt top scored with 89 and Tony Little was among the runs again, hitting a fine 66 for his team.
In reply, Lee Blann was in sublime form for the hosts and steered his team to a convincing eight wicket victory with a fabulous unbeaten century. Torrevieja took 18 points from the game whilst Levante headed back to Valencia with just four points.
It was Levante’s A team the following day that were on the receiving end of a losing result to cap off a disappointing weekend for the club. Hosting Madrid United they put in possibly their worst batting performance of the season to be rolled over for just 122. Tim Lucas with 47 and Dave Murphy with 40 offered some resistance but none of the other batsmen reached double figures. For United Tauqeer Hussein put in a great bowling performance, taking six wickets for just 22 runs.
In reply Madrid United made light work of chasing down the low total, surpassing it in the 18th over for just the loss of three wickets. Jimmy Ashraf and Zeeshan put on a good fourth wicket partnership to end 40 not out and 48 not out respectively. United took maximum points from the game whilst Levante only scored two points.
The other ECCL League One game that day was the Madrid derby between Madrid Stars CC and Madrid CC. Played at Sonseca, it was a one sided affair. Madrid CC batted first and were all out for just 92. Richard Wilson hit 23 runs but it was the Stars Ali Cheema Akbar who took the honours with a strong bowling performance that saw him bag three wickets for just twelve runs in 5.4 overs.
Stars only lost a solitary wicket in chasing down the Madrid sub-par score and in doing so Ali Usman completed a fine unbeaten half century. Another maximum points victory for the Stars whilst Madrid received just one point from the contest.
The next ECCL Premier fixture is a top of the table clash between Sporting Alfas and Pinatar at the Woodbridge Oval on August 13th. The title looks to be three way battle between Alfas, Madrid Stars and Pinatar and with all three teams still to play matches against their rivals it could prove to be an interesting finale to the season.
The ECCL Winners will go on to play the Cataluyna winners and St George (already confirmed Lanzarote winners) in La Manga in early November for the right to be named Spanish Champions for 2016.