CHARITY CRICKET FEST MORE THAN A BIG HIT!
Basking in the beautiful September sunshine the Cartama Oval was looking in all its glory for what was to be the biggest event in its history and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Teams from the UK, Netherlands, and India gathered for the final briefings on the Wednesday evening already prepared to do battle in this what was to be an exciting action packed tournament.
The Thursday and Friday back to back 20/20 games of non-stop cricket gave rise to the rankings for the Final Playoffs on the Saturday. There were many spectacular cricketing moments and all results over the first two days went to the last over, with all teams demonstrating that they were here to win whilst playing in the spirit of the game.
The early anticipated Saturday morning rain failed to dampen the spirits or enthusiasm for the Finals day ahead. The capacity crowd with many first time visitors had great expectations and by the end of the days play all these expectations had not only been met but exceeded by far.
Ruislip Victoria CC beat Rugby CC in another closely fought game with a win in the last over to secure 5th place in the rankings, Chiswick and Latymer overtook the Dutch Zamigos for 3rd place again in the last over and the scene was set for the grand finale.
The final was Rampside CC V Turf India and what a final that was. This game could not have been written any better. Rampside CC won the toss and elected to bat posting a very respectable total of 147 for the loss of 5 wickets. The highlight of their innings was a dazzling partnership of 81 between Chris Brookshaw(45) and Andy Baxter(36)
However in reply Turf India without Shaoib Malik who had been released by agreement of the Festival Organisers to join the Pakistan International squad had more than a suitable replacement in Sachin Khurana, having been until recently the world record holder for the highest score (277) in the shortest number of balls.
Rampside from the very first over were taken apart by the skills and athleticism of Khurana. Rampside CC literally threw everything at him they could but they could not stop the swashbuckling Sachin who whirlwinded the fastest recorded unbeaten 100 in 31 balls at the Cartama Oval! Game over in 12 overs.
Whilst Rampside were more than disappointed in their loss they had infact witnessed live one of the most clinically brilliant performances with a bat that they and the rest of the spectators would ever see again…unless of course Turf India CC decide to return next year.
What a finish to a fantastic 3 days of cricket.
Following this there were the formalities of presenting the trophies and who better to present them than another cricket fanatic Dilip Kuner editor of the Euro Weekly Newspaper.
Not only was cricket the winner the event also raised over 700€ for Cudeca . The event organisers would like to thank the following people for their help
Charley Hepburn at OZBUILD, SUNSHINE GOLF AT LA CALA, Jayne Hepburn at RANCHO DEL RIO horseriding school for sponsoring the souvenir programme.
All the team at EUROPEAN HEALTH PROMOTIONS for answering our appeal for chairs .Jens Buggel JB AIRCON & ELECTRICALS for the loan of PA System.
A very big thank you to Ian and Wendy Ringrose, Terry Hirst, Paul and Kate Howard, Colin Noades.
Also Event referee Ray Fry, Fernado Shrard, Craig Trapps, John Barrett, Chris Batten ,Tony Crooks, Mick Button.
