Sporting Alfas I and Madrid United split the series in the two 20/20 matches played at the Woodbridge Oval last weekend.
Match One Alfas won the toss and Madrid United were put into bat. The capital city visitors posted a telling total of 165 for 7. In reply Alfas won off the last ball in a well timed run chase in which Gary Crompton scored 91 not out and Mark Spencer played a sensible supporting role.
The second match was again a tense affair that went down to the penultimate ball. Alfas batted first and cored 158 for 5 with Spencer again amongst the runs. Madrid United looked out off it with a handul of overs left but a late surge by the middle order batsmen, and in particular Shabaz, saw the visitors home with just one wicket to spare.
Two great games of cricket that were a great advert for th sport in Spain.
Heres a further report from the Alfas chairman Kevin Laundon
Sporting Alfas Cricket Club Sporting Alfas 1st X1 171 for 2 beat Madrid Utd 20×20 165 for 7
T20 finally arrived at the Woodbridge Oval, much to the displeasure of many members who believe the short version of the game will bring about a down fall in standards. But 2 games in one day and the extremely close finish in both games proved an hit with players and spectators.
Madrid United batted first in the opening game, Laundon kept things tight whilst Fell found the edge and went for a few very unlucky runs. After 6 overs fielding restrictions are lifted but the score was on 46 for 1 wkt.
Pennick and Fletcher gave the visitors a torrid time but yet again the SACC players failed to hold on to the many chances given by the ariel route chosen by the Madrid batsmen. 100 game up in the 13 over but 2 more wickets had fallen. 140 was reached in the 17th over without a wicket falling but then a little mad headed spell game and Madrid lost 5 more wickets for only 25 more runs. 165 the total.
SACC had the worst possible start as Pennick hung his bat out first ball and was caught behind. Crompton and Spencer then took the game away from Madrid with some spectacular play, with only twenty more runs needed Spencer played across one and was bowled for 38, Crompton carried on in the same hard hitting fashion and with Fletcher took the game to the last ball and 1 run to win, the field closed in and Crompton spanked the ball into the netting at the far end to finish the game on 91 which included 5 maximums and 8 fours. Fletcher ended on 12, SACC 18 points Madrid United 5.
SACC batted first in the second game, this time around Spencer led the way with a classy 71 Fletcher 29, Laundon 12*, Pennick 11, Pakiam 8, Crompton 4 and Fell 3* gave SACC 158, a easily defended total.
Madrid against the slow left arm spin attack of Taylor and Fell reached 44 from the first 6 for the loss of 1 man. the introduction of the pace men and the lifting of fielding restrictions slowed the rate down and wickets fell regularly, but the score did keep rising and when in the 15 over SACC lost a fielder, the gap left was instantly leapt upon by Madrid player Shabaz spanking three 4s through the vacant area.
This change of luck inspired Madrid and although SACC took 9 wickets Madrid scraped home on the last ball to win. Madrid 159 – 9 SACC 158 – 5. Madrid 13 points SACC 8.
What a great days entertainment and two fantastic finishes certainly kept the Woodbridge Oval regulars in their seats until the very end.