Sporting Alfas short jaunt across the water to Ibiza ended with a win apiece as the hosts continued their warm up for the forthcoming Balearic Cup later this month.
The Alfas v Ibiza home and away games, are a permanent annual fixture on the Spanish cricket calendar but it was first time that the Alfas boys had played at the Polo Club and on day one they found the new ground and the even newer wicket very much to their liking.
Ibiza batted first and were scuttled out for just 142 with the mainline Alfas bowlers all returning great figures. Jake Sunderland took two for 17, and the two Ben’s Marriner and Fletcher grabbed three wickets each for the same amount of runs (30). A honourable mention also goes to the evergreen John Braithwaite who toiled without reward in the Ibiza sun, managing seven economical overs for the cost of just seven runs.
Alfas had little trouble in knocking off the runs as both openers were in fine form. They eventual overhauled the Ibiza total with ten wickets and numerous overs to spare.
Game two saw Ibiza exact some revenge. Alfas were bowled out for just 88 with Sunderland scoring over a third of his teams score. In reply, Ibiza scraped over the line, chasing down the total with just a solitary wicket to spare. Again Sunderland was in on the action, taking five wickets and a run out for the visitors.
The two teams will meet up again later in the year at the Woodbridge Oval, when it is the Alicante based side who will be hosting the return fixture.
Sporting Alfas Cricket Club – Ibiza Tour – May 2015