Sporting Alfas Cricket Club Sporting Alfas 2nd X1 179 for 5 lost to Madrids 2nd 182 for 6
The Alfas second’s welcomed old foes Madrid to the Woodbridge for the traditional double header that would go a long way to showing where the team were heading under the new leadership with a very stern test awaiting. Last year both teams ended the weekend with a win apiece, both teams were hoping for better this year.
First task, first loss as the toss went in Madrid’s favour, and with the current rules, had no hesitation in choosing to bowl first putting the pressure on Alfas to make a score. McKinstry and K. Laundon took guard and faced a very stern opening attack from Madrid. They managed to take the shine off the ball and kept their wickets intact through the initial spell but Madrid were not giving anything away and Alfas reached the first drinks break at 15 overs for 49 without loss.
The second session proved to be a lot more hectic with the Madrid team striking in the very 1st ball of the 1st over after drinks, McKinstry (19) picking out a fielder off Babu. Abdul then joined Laundon at the crease but 4 overs later, Madrid had struck again, Laundon (29) trying to guide between the slips found them instead and Babu had another breakthrough. Evans went out to try and keep one end anchored but Babu had the bit between his teeth by now and found another catch taken off his bowling to see off Evans (4). Coming up to the end of the session, there was still time for Bancroft to get Abdul (22) stumped and by the 2nd Drinks break, Alfas were 110/4.
Heading out for the last session, Byrne and K. Perman looked to get the score moving to give Alfas some sort of target to defend. Byrne (18) struck at nearly a run a ball before popping one up from Bancroft to be easily caught. Basharat Ali then came in and brought the fireworks with him, hitting 2 6’s, one a ball replacing effort and 3 4’s in a quick fire 34* to go with Kieran’s 43* to see Alfas to a competitive total of 179 off their 40 overs.
Dinesh Babu the pick of Madrid’s bowlers with 3 for 26 off 8 Overs.
After tea, the teams took the field again and the run rate was even slower going than the first innings as both Basharat and Laundon kept their bowling tight. Laundon made the breakthrough in only the 2nd over, getting Medina to edge behind, Byrne taking the catch. Basharat, not to be left out for long, repeated the feat 5 overs later, getting Healey to give another nick behind and Madrid were 8/2 off 8. Basharat struck again 2 overs later, Seshut gloving behind to Byrne for his 3rd catch and Madrid were in trouble at 13/3 off 11.
However, that wicket brought Sangupta to the crease, who with D. Stirton put on a match changing partnership of 125 before Stirton picked out Abdul of Basharat’s bowling. However, their knock had swung the match in Madrid’s favour and by the time Sangupta eventually fell for a well played 79, Madrid only needed 27 more.
Alfas stuck at it but the game had just slipped away and in the penultimate over, Madrid hit the winning runs to give them first blood on this double header weekend and leave a dejected Alfas wondering what they might have done differently……
Tomorrow could be a chance to show…..
Alfas MOM – Basharat Ali, 34* and 3 wickets
Sporting Alfas Cricket Club
