Sporting Alfas first team continued their winning start to the season, but their midweek side found things much tougher against annual visitors Nomads CC.Kevin Laundon reports..
Sporting Alfas Cricket Club Sporting Alfas 1st X1 280 for 5 beat Nomads C.C. 173 for 10
The Nomads return to the Woodbridge Oval Albir for the 16th year, this year bringing 4 new Nomads to sample the game here in Spain. Inviting SACC to bat first the home side set about the task with Spencer and Muñoz, both looking comfortable against the attack of Reeves and Barry, Muñoz the first to go after 4 successful overs he edged one to the veteran Keeper Kevin Smith who held on to the catch with ease. Pennick then joined Spencer and the pair took the score to 49 from 8 when Spencer(30) gave Latchman at first slip a difficult chance.
Fletcher joined Pennick and they enjoyed a hundred partnership then Fletcher(50)gave Reeve a simple catch. Laundon (19) enjoyed a few shots then chased a wide one and gave Fawbert a bit of catching practise. Pennick at the other end was enjoying his day and reached his hundred in the 33 over Ward came and went quietly and Packiem(15) helped Pennick(133) take the score to a very creditable 280. Tea was taken then the task of getting out this very strong batting line up from the UK began with Roper and Fletcher bowling at Farrel and Reeve. The scoring was rapid, both bowlers were going at 6 an over. Fletcher then enticed Reeve(24) to edge one to Ward behind. The introduction of Spencer slowed down the run chase, Farrel(31) the next to fall, chasing the big shot but only reaching Keiren Perman at mid off the youngster not missing his chance to shine. Hardy jnr fell LBW to a full toss from Spencer then two balls later Hussey followed his example and also fell the same way.
Spencer in his last over had the evergreen Latchman caught by Pennick to end a successful day with the ball. Muñoz replaced Fletcher and found the edge of Brocktons(48) bat Ward again taking the catch. Waqar came on at the far end and found his form, firstly taking a sharpe caught and bowled then bowling Smith. Brown bowling what became last over of the day when Muñoz ran out the last two Nomads. 173 all out, a good days work by the home team.
Next weekend. La Manga return to Albir for a weekend of cricket as the two top teams from the last few years start this seasons battle with a friendly match.
Harpenden celebrate 150 years on Friday playing against Spains over 40 side, a 1 pm start is scheduled.
Sporting Alfas Cricket Club Sporting Alfas Mid Week XI 169 for 8 lost Nomads C.C. 289 for 6
The Nomads first game of the tour provided the home side with many problems, firstly make sure you get 11 players, secondly do not let the opposition bat first. The Nomads as ever arrived with a star team of batsmen who enjoyed the first day of the tour amassing 290 against a nine man SACC midweek eleven. 3 Nomads reached fifty Farrel(71), a new tourist, really liking the conditions here in Spain, Latchman(52) an evergreen tourist and Nomads Skipper Brockton(52).
Faubert unluckely falling on 39. Reeve (30) left wondering what might have been had he got in earlier. Pick of the Alfas bowlers by a mile was Patrick Goodhand with 3 for 13 from 5. Cooper was the only other bowler to pick up wickets taking 3 for 67 from 8. Laundon, behind the stumps, snatching 3 catches.
SACC never looked in the game although Goodhand reached 37 to round of a good day, McKinstry also falling on 37. Laundon on 38 ran out of partners so the total reached an under par 169 from 38 tight Nomad overs. Brockton also finished a good day with 2 wickets for 5 runs from 5 overs. All in all the Nomads were far to strong for the midweek X1 and the score really summed up the day. Still tomorrow the firsts take on the tourists, watch this space.