MADRID START VALENCIA WEEKEND WITH A VICTORY

Madrid had the best possible start to their weekend in Madrid with a comprehensive victory over Levante CC. Thanks to Jason Noon of Levante CC for the match report.  

Levante went in search of their first win of the season against a visiting Madrid CC but despite another scintillating performance from 61 year old Orville Senhouse they were soundly beaten.

Madrid won the toss and decided to field on a cloudy day in which rain threatened but never arrived. Kakkad and Hunt opened for Levante but it didn’t take long for the latter to be back in the hut after being caught at point.

Senhouse came to the crease at three but soon lost his partner as Kakkad was the second opener out with single figure runs. Burchell came to the crease with Levante in trouble but Senhouse was starting to find his groove, and the boundary. Burchell became the third player not to reach double figures when he pushed at one to short cover and then Noon perished when playing on for 5. Fareed came in at 6 but the collapse continued when he was caught at mid off.

Eaton did manage to reach double figures but his score of ten was ended when he missed a full toss. Bruno and Pilkington went in quick succession and it wasn’t until Hoy came in at ten did the Madrid side face any competition for the wicket of a Levante player not named Orville. Senhouse had reached his half century in style, nonchalantly dismissing the ball to the boundary whilst needing a runner for an injury sustained during the game.

He was finally caught when going for another big shot when running out of partners but his 76 had made a rather dismal looking scorecard that little bit more respectable. Kar and Hoy offered some resistance as a last wicket stand but Levante finished well below par on 145ao in 31 overs.
To have any chance of winning the game Levante would have to strike early. Hoy bowled a beauty of a bouncer first up at the danger man Jay who could only fend to second slip where Hunt was unable to hang on.

With heads already down after a poor batting display it would take an almighty effort to get back in the game but with wickets needed and attacking fields set, bad balls were punished far too easily. Bruno did manage to get a breakthrough for Levante when Woodward popped one up off his pad and was caught off Pilkington under the helmet at short square leg.

Kala came to the crease at three and despite another couple of dropped catches and a missed run out opportunity, Kala and Jay seemed to be winning the game at a canter for Madrid, who went to tea at 120/1 chasing 146. Levante restored a little bit of pride with Pilkington taking two wickets and Hamza another before Madrid finally put them out of their misery.

The disappointing aspect for Levante was that the Madrid middle order had shown a brittle undercoat and had they made the breakthrough earlier the result could have been different. However, Senhouse apart this was not a good game from the batsmen and Levante are left with a lot of work to do on the training ground.
The good news for Levante was that this was the first of a double header and they will get their chance to enact revenge the following day….
Thanks to the umpires Allan and Ron and to John Howden for scoring. Well played to Madrid who are a great bunch of guys and fully deserved their victory.

Levante Cricket Club Levante CC Batting                    

Madrid CC Bowling