INTELLECTUALS JUST MISS OUT ON VICTORY

The Sporting Alfas second XI won a close match against the Intellectuals earlier today at the Woodbridge Oval.

Batting first Alfas lost Mckinstry quickly but then managed to score at a constant pace without losing wickets with Nix and Dawes at the crease. Nix fell for 36, whilst Dawes went on to complete a well crafted half century and maintain his early season form that as seen him pushing for a first team call up.

Additional runs by Chris Cooper, Jamie Roper and John Braithwaite helped Alfas finish with a total of 197 for 7 from their allocated overs,just 3 runs short of an additional batting point. For the Intellectuals Wasim Waris bowled exceptionally well without any luck and Andy Cormack bagged three wickets from 7 overs at a cost of only 26 runs.

The Intellectuals got off to a good start as Waris hit a quick fire 20, but a bowling change brought Roper into the attack and he quickly got the opener caught behind with a ball just back of a length. Roper continued to bowl an excellent spell but he was let down by some of the other Alfas bowlers as the extras column continued to add welcome runs to the Intellectuals cause.

The introduction of Dutchmen Rob Dhondai eased the leaking runs and his economical spell yielded four wickets for just 40 runs. As the Intellectuals looked to move into another gear the Alfas captain Marriner called upon youngsters Roper and Tyler Brown to take the three required wickets for victory.

The youngsters held their nerve well and obliged at the end with two wickets for Brown and one for Roper as the Intellectuals were finally all out for 163 in the 37th over. The 34 run victory gave Alfas 18 points from the game and the Intellectuals 6 points.  

The other development league match scheduled for the weekend was cancelled as Cazadores were unable to raise a side against Madrid. As a result of this, and in accordance with the rules Madrid gained 20 points and Cazadores were penalised 20 points for the infringement.