The two match top of the table clash between La Manga/Torrevieja and Sporting Alfas did not disappoint as the series ended squared with one game apiece.
Match One : Sporting Alfas 149 for 2 beat 147 for 4 by eight wickets.
In Match One, La Manga batted first and posted a total of 147 for 4 on the scoreboard. Opener Paul Hennessy remained at the crease from the first ball until the last one, and was the major contributor to the La Manga score with a fine 70 not out. Adam Algar and Kieran Wood both scored 11 (the latter unbeaten) but extras were the second top score for the batting team, yielding 44 runs.
In reply, Faran Afzal repeated Hennessy`s accomplishment by lasting all of the Alfas innings, and extras once again proved the second top score, with 48 runs being recorded. The difference between the two innings, that mirrored each other in many ways, was that Afzal got additional support from Jacob Rhodes (25) and Chritian Munoz Mills (10 not out). Alfas finally went past the La Manga/Torrevieja total in the seventeenth over with eight wickets to spare.
Match Two : La Manga 144 for 8 beat Alfas 137 for 7 by 7 runs.
La Manga came roaring back in Match Two and just edged an evenly balanced contest. Batting first La Manga hit 144 for 8 from their twenty overs. Alfas also rectified their extras issue and only gifted La Manga eight runs in that department. Youngster Charlie Rumi top scored with 35 for La Manga, whilst Imran Khan and Kyle Roper both took two wickets for the visitors.
In response, the Alfas batting wilted despite being assisted by some wayward La Manga bowling that give up 35 runs of the 137 total managed. The seven run victory for the hosts was thanks to some tight bowling by La Manga, despite a valiant effort by Jahaid Ahmed at the end of the innings that saw him end unbeaten on 32 runs. Thanks go to Intellectuals CC for allowing both teams to use the Bonalba ground.
The drawn series helped Levante and soon after came the news that Madrid CC had the majority of their players in lockdown, due to Covid 19 and they would not be able to complete their league campaign. Consequently, all Madrid´s matches were espunged from the table. As a consequence the current league table is as follows, as of Oct 4th 2020.
Levante P 10 W 7 L 3 Pts 14 ORR 9.39
Alfas P 12 W 6 L 6 Pts 12 ORR 8.26
LMT P 8 W 5 L 3 Pts 10 ORR 8.54
Intell P 6 W 0 L 6 Pts 0 ORR 6.95