Sun shines for Alfas as the cricket season kicks off again
Saturday, 9th February
SACC 1st XI v La Manga CC
On a pleasant, springlike morning, Sporting Alfas CC got their 2008
season underway against regular rivals La Manga CC.
Despite a new wicket (laid with considerable help from many of the
club’s members during the close season) to contend with, the home side
won the toss and didn’t hesitate in choosing to bat first.
S.Ali and G.Howe made the ideal start, opening the season with a
century stand for the first wicket, before Ali fell to the bowling of
Dert for 64.
Howe promptly completed his own half century before retiring not out
on 52 and further contributions from Pennick, Muñoz, and Mudasa helped
the home side reach a challenging 264 for 8.
In reply, La Manga lost regular wickets with Hancock scoring 50 with
N.Brooke and Lobb making useful contributions in a game that SACC were
always in control of and eventually won by 54 runs.
For SACC, Wasim 39-3 and Crompton 56-2 started the season in good form.
Many thanks to La Manga for providing the opposition on a very good
day’s cricket.
Sunday, 10th February
Academy smash sorry seconds!
SACC 2nd XI v SACC Academy
A bright but breezy day saw the SACC 2nd XI begin their season against
a talented SACC Academy side by choosing to bat first.
The youngsters were in no mood to be taken lightly and soon had their
more illustrious opponents in some considerable trouble.
After miserly opening spells by Muñoz and Sunderland had the seconds
reduced to 25-2 after 10 overs, it was the Academy’s change bowlers of
Hersh (1-14), Jamie (3-18), Marshall (0-7) and Metcalfe (4-6) that
tore through the experienced 2nd XI line-up to leave them reeling at
72 all out – a quite brilliant effort by the juniors.
In reply, Hersh and Muñoz were able to steer the Academy confidently
to within touching distance of victory before Hersh fell for a
composed 15, leaving talented ‘junior’ Wasim Ur-Rehman to hit the
winning runs to see the Academy home in what had to rate as the
fledglings’ most complete display in their short history.
Special mention must go to C.Muñoz for his excellent 42 not out – a
quite superb effort.
The defeat was so comprehensive, it even gave the teams time for a
quick, ten 8-ball over match which enabled the 2nd XI to save a
smidgen of face with a four-wicket win, but nothing could be taken
away from the Academy side, who rightly took all the plaudits on the
day.
Coming up:
For all those cricket lovers wishing to watch, play, umpire or score
please contact Director of Cricket Steve Lewis on 660246351 or
Chairman Phil Pennick on 620409173.
Or, just come down and watch!
This weekend sees the return of Harpenden CC for their 10th annual
tour with games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, the 2nd XI will take on the Intellectuals (1.30pm start).
The annual pre-season dinner will take place at the Benidorm Palace
this Friday from 9pm.
For more details, please contact the social secretary on 606665707.