PINATAR PIRATES WIN THE ECCL LEAGUE

Pinatar Pirates got the 16 points they required from their final match with Madrid to overtake Sporting Alfas and become the new champions of the ECCL 45 over league.

With rain forecast in the La Manga area for the early afternoon it was a relief to the Pinatar players that the resort itself was clear and dry because only a win would suffice if they were to become the new champions of the region.

Madrid won the toss and invited Pinatar to bat first. The Pirates decided on the unusual opening partnership of the Panchal brothers (Akash and Ravi) and it proved to be a winning decision as the pair put on 255 for the first wicket. Akash finally fell for 90 but Ravi went on to finish out on 138 as Pinatar secured all five batting points available. Their innings finally ended on 318 for 3.

In reply Madrid found batting difficult and failed to get to grips with the bowling of Jassi Singh who took five wickets for just 21 runs. The team from the capital were finally all out for 66 to give Pinatar the win and points bonuses required to overtake last year’s champions Sporting Alfas.

Pinatar will now face the Lanzarote and Cataluyna winners on the 23rd-25th of November in the national finals in a triangular tournament played over three consecutive days.