SPORTING ALFAS V MADRID UNITED (ECCL PREMIER LEAGUE)

Sporting Alfas and Madrid United served up a closely fought contest at the Woodbridge Oval yesterday but it was the home side that finally prevailled by a 57 run margin.

Alfas won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny spring day. After Crompton had to retire hurt after being hit on the head by a bouncer from the fiery Taqueer Hussain, Adam Alger joined Kevin Laundon at the crease and they took the score to 77 before Alger was caught just before drinks off the bowling of Akmal.

Captain Munoz came in next and played excellently for his team after putting the scares from his very first two deliveries behind him. His innings included nine fours and four sixes and he just fell four runs shy of his century when judged leg before to Jaffa Hussein.

A late cameo by Ben Flecther, 47 not out off 35 balls, ensured that Alfas received maximum batting points and posted a total that would be difficult to chase down.

However, United started positively, and with an element of luck put on 66 for the first wicket before Daniel skied one to first slip off the bowling of Algar. Fellow opener Akmal continued to be the rock in the United innings and contributed 91 of his teams runs before finally tiring and holing out to Faran Afzal off the bowling of the evergreen Paul Taylor.

The game was still in the balance until Afzal came back for his second spell and bagged three wickets in four balls. Taqueer Hussain hit some lusty blows in his quick fire 49 but once he fell the United innings crumbled and were finally all out for 229 runs.

Afzal ended up with the match ball after finishing with figures of six for 41. Sporting took maximum points from the contest and Madrid United ended up with a well deserved six points from the match.