Many great Derby rivalries are played during the sporting calendar year. Often one is asked are you Man Utd or Man City? Occasionally, like David Tivey, one can be both, but no derby game matches the fervent, boiling cauldron atmosphere of Levante CC vs Valencia Stars (Stallions or Green) at the bowler friendly VCG.
So it was that today birthed another of these epic battles, these gargantuan duels of Homeric proportions, the 26th of August, 2018 will go down in Valencia local folklore as the day Lord Pickford of Somerset scratched another league century, the day that Barry ‘Chairman’ Eaton rose phoenixlike from the ashes of 3 disastrous seasons to rekindle his love for the pull shot, the day that Yasir chap nearly robbed Levante of 20 points (again!) and the day that Qasim went AWOL on more than one occasion.
Yes, it was hotter than the devils mistress in an edible thong. Yes, the sun baked David Tivey’s calves until they were the colour of Jaggi’s Tandori chicken. And yes, Levante emerged triumphant with a 20 point win (7 points for the Stars). But more importantly, fun was had by all.
In brief the match unfolded in this fashion;
1 – Levante’s dashing hipster captain Morgan won the toss and opted to bat.
2 – Levante scored an earth shatteringly good 303-6 (R. Pickford 113, B. Eaton 60*).
3 – A cracking hot tea of nuggets, pizza nachos (why not it’s only a billion degrees in the shade), water melon and cheese balls (?!?) was enjoyed by all.
4 – Levante took to the field, dropped a few catches, bowled a bit of Bertie Basset liquorice all-sorts.
5 – That Yasir chap smashed 98 (about half of these from one Lord Pickford over) and scared the bejeebuz out of the normally calm, erudite and swarthy Captain Morgan.
6 – Morgan regained his quiet calm and brought back his proper bowlers.
7 – Levante took all Stars wickets for 228 (Sammi 3 wickets, 2 wickets a piece for Eaton, Qasim and Faiz)
8 – The Levante team polished off the (now lukewarm) rest of the tea and drank plenty of unalcoholic beverages to celebrate.
Next week Levante CC are faced with the daunting task of a 1st/2nd team double header at the VCG, but, as always, we will scale the challenge and enjoy our cricket.
Levante (20 points) beat Valencia Stars (7 points) by 75 runs,
Levante 303 for 6 (R Pickford 113, B Eaton 60 not out) Valencia Stars 228 all out ( Yasir 98, B Eaton 2-30, Faiz 2-30)
Rhys Morgan (Levante CC)