SPORTING ALFAS II GRIND OUT A DRAW WITH TORREVIEJA

The much anticipated top of the table clash between Sporting Alfas II and Torrevieja created history by providing the development league with its first ever winning/losing draw.

Alfas won the toss and elected to field. The Torrevieja innings was dominated by their opener Adam Algar, who nearly batted through his teams innings to post a personal score of 155 in his teams total of 244 for 7. He was well supported by Lee Blann and another of Torrevieja’s talented youngsters Michael Wareing who scored 18 and 34 respectively.

Sporting Alfas made a tactical decision at the interval to not try and chase down the high score posted by Torrevieja, but instead play for the losing draw that is unique this year to the Development league.

This decision led to a plethora of defensive strokes from the Alfas openers as they looked to fend off the new ball and frustrate the Torrevieja fielders. The experienced Evans and McKinstry played this role to pefection for Alfas and at the 15 over drinks break the home side had all their wickets in tact with only a handful of runs on the board.

Soon after the first break McKinstry was bowled by Lee Brown and the Torrevieja skipper got Whajid two balls later to give the vistors renewed hope of securing the 24 points available for victory. However, Evans was proving as difficult as ever to remove and although a couple of further wickets fell at the other end he remained 51 not out at the finish as Alfas safely avoided defeat. Alfas ended the game on 109 for 4 off their 40 overs.

Torrevieja ended the game with 14 points (8 points for a winning draw, 4 batting and 2 bowling points) whilst Alfas received 7 points (2 points for a losing draw, 3 bowling and 2 batting points). Both teams are now tied on 115 points with Torrevieja having a game in hand. La Manga still remain in the mix as the three clubs fight out for gold, silver and bronze in the Development League title race.