Ibiza C.C. vs London New Zealand C.C.
15/05 25 overs per side. Ibiza 164/5 beat LNZ 156/7 by 8 runs.
Ibiza chose to bat first and top order batsmen Martin Cooper (52 retired) and Sam Feasey (52) produced a useful 118 run stand which set Ibiza up well for a good score. This plus over 30 extras from the visitors allowed Ibiza to finish on 164/5, a healthy run rate of over 6.5 runs per over. LNZ bowlers Richard Brooks (2/24) and Liam O’Donnell (2/19) plus Sam Martin (1/10) were the wicket takers.
LNZ then batted and kept well in touch with the required run rate thanks to Cheyne Voss (25) , an aggressive 69 from Luke Vivian and Sam Martin (25). In fact, the visitors came to the last over needing 9 runs to win, but Ibiza bowler Graeme Cooper (1/24) kept his cool, caused a run out and took a wicket and LNZ fell short by 8 runs.
The other Ibiza wicket takers were Sam Feasey (2/19) and Mike Amos (3/32), who continues to add to his seasonal tally of wickets for Ibiza.
16/05 30 overs per side. LNZCC 200/5 beat Ibiza 195/6 by 5 runs.
This time LNZ batted first and showed their intent to score runs immediately by opening with the formidable presence of the big-hitting Luke Vivian (18). However, even when he fell early, the runs continued to flow, thanks to useful innings from Jarrad Bourke (46), Gerard Walsh (30), Cheyne Voss (21 not out) and Sam Martin (14 not out).
In addition, Ibiza began with only 8 players, then 9, so with a fielder less than the visitors, it was always going to be harder to prevent boundaries than usual, and this plus several dropped catches allowed the visitors to finish their innings on an imposing 200/5 off 30 overs. The Ibiza bowlers tried hard, with Robin Parmenter (2/38), and Mike Amos, Graham Boe and Indian newcomer Shubham all taking wickets.
Ibiza now began their innings and did not start well at all, losing early wickets and soon falling to 30/4, then 30/5, and it was finally a 96 run partnership between Shubham (59 not out) and Robin Parmenter (26) that made the score more respectable.
However, when the latter departed at 126/6, Ibiza were still 74 runs short of the target and it was another stand of 69 runs between Shubham and Mike Amos(43 not out) that made the run chase very close, also thanks to over 40 extras from the visitors.
Ibiza finally finished on 195/6, 5 runs short of a tie, on the last ball. LNZ bowlers Sam Martin (2/25), and Richard Brooks (2/33) had the most success, with Liam O’Donnell and Jarrad Bourke taking the other wickets.
This is the fourth consecutive match between LNZCC and Ibiza CC that has ended in the final over, with 2 wins each in games that are always played in a friendly and sporting spirit with plenty of entertaining cricket and banter!
As is customary, we thank LNZ Chairman Gerard Walsh for bringing his team of eccentric Kiwis from London to Ibiza and long may this annual fixture continue!
RPHood – IBIZA CC