TAYLOR MADE FOR LEVANTE

The Levante second team played their first home game of the season and ended the game with maximum points after a comfortable win over last years champions Torrevieja.

Winning the toss and electing to bat they were indebted to Martin Taylor who scored 82 of the home sides total. Batting in the unaccustomed position of number three he took advantage of some early misses from the Torry fielders and made his top score ever in Levante colours. Opener Andy Lofthouse also played a credible innings and late cameos by the middle order took Levante to the 200 mark and their fourth batting point.

In reply Torrevieja started cautiously with Guilchard and Wood, who looked to be seeing off the new ball until opener Wright in his fifth over got the two wickets of Wood and Pawitter in three balls. From that point there were a steady stream of wickets as the visitors finally crashed to 102 all out in the 35th over.

Taylor capped a superb performance for Levante by taking three wickets in a five over spell that included two wicket maidens. Pete West also took two wickets in two balls, courtesy of two stumpings by Andy Lofthouse and Dan Tickel mopped up the tail for the hosts by cashing in at the end to finish with figures of two wickets for five runs in a few balls shy of three overs.

Levante will be hoping their first team can emulate this performance tomorrow when they face a tough test at the Woodbridge Oval against Sporting Alfas in the weekend’s top fixture. The game starts at 13,00 hours at the Albir ground, all are welcome, admission is free and there is a bar available for beverages and food.

Liga de Cricket del Este y del Centro, Segunda Division (ECCL 2)