First 20/20 match 14th Sept – Ibiza CC VS. The Treasury Valuers XI (Bristol)
Ibiza Skipper Graeme “GMan” Cooper won the toss and chose to field first. Thus TVCC started slowly, adjusting to the unusual pitch, and were on a sedate 51 for 3 after 10 overs, thanks to controlled bowling from Ibiza. But in the second 10 overs this changed, and the Ibiza bowling and fielding deteriorated, while the visitors’ batting increased its intensity, with 90 more runs being added in 60 balls, and they finished on a respectable and defendable 141 for 7.
Skipper Mark “Hairdryer” Williams led the way with a composed 41 (5 boundaries), and was well supported by lusty hitting from Sean “Gstring” Groves with 42 (8 boundaries), and Aussie Dave Maplestone with a rapid 21. Ibiza bowlers Sam “Easyjet”Feasey (2/11), Andy “Basher” Nicholas (1/19), and newcomer “JJ” Eastwood (1/24) were the most economical, however Ibiza’s fielders were visibly rusty after 3 months without cricket, and several boundaries were allowed, as well as 2 catches put down. Ibiza then batted, requiring 7 runs per over, and were well on course at the 10 over break, with 77 for 2 being scored. At 105 for 4 after 14 overs, it appeared that the target of 142 would be reached.
But then a combination of Ibiza batsmen going for unnecessary big hits and some excellent catches being taken by the visitors, ensured that wickets continued to tumble,and the match would go down to the wire. Thus the score was on 132 for 9 and 10 runs were needed off the last over, with last batsman Joe Swinburne facing.He hit a six off the second ball, so another boundary was needed off 4 balls, but he was then tempted to go for another big hit to win the match and was caught on the square leg boundary by the visitors’ Skipper!
Match over and TVCC had won by a margin of 2 runs. A very entertaining match that was played in a friendly fashion and was enjoyed by all. Of the Ibiza batsmen, Sam Feasey continued his all round form with a steady 48 (9 boundaries), but , although several others got starts, no-one stayed in long enough to convert them into bigger totals. The visitors’ bowlers were controlled and their fielding alert, with Sean “Eden” Beynon the most successful with 4 for 20, aided by Mark Williams (2/20) and Steve “Pecs” Coombes (2/27).
Second 20/20 match – 14th Sept. Ibiza C.C. vs the Tom Jacob Appreciation XI (London)
Ibiza again won the toss and decided to bat first this time, and set a target. The visitors, who had been to Ibiza before several years ago, and once again appeared at the ground in their resplendent purple and black striped blazers, were not as controlled in their bowling or alert in fielding as the previous team, and the Ibiza batsmen were determined to make up for the earlier defeat
Thus the runs flowed freely at over 9 per over, and Sam Feasey with 83 not out (14 boundaries) and the returning Adam “Bigman” Johnston (83- 15 boundaries) ensured that the target would be a tough one, with Ibiza finally finishing on 189 for 2. The visitors’ bowlers and fielders appeared to be suffering from their previous night on the town,and tried gamely to stem the flow of runs, but to no avail.
The Appreciation XI then batted and it was evident that they were not going to score at the required rate, as wickets fell regularly. Only Ben “Stuffy” Marlow managed to stay in with a steady 40 (6 boundaries), and was supported by H.”Toothpick” Ballard (17) and “JoJo” Walters (18), but they were eventually all out for 108 in the 17th over. Of the Ibiza bowlers, Sam Feasey (3/22), Joe Swinburne (2/13) and skipper Graeme Cooper (2/6) were the most successful, while Jim Harvey and Graham Boe contributed one each.
Third 20/20 match 15th Sept TJ Appreciation XI vs. Treasurer Valuers XI (Bristol).
This match, being the last of the weekend, was an enthralling contest with the TJ team desperate for a win, and their opponents hoping to make it 2 wins out of 2 to take what was affectionately known as the “Bristolian Cup”
The Valuers won the toss and decided to bat and then posted the highest score of the w/end to date, a mighty 204 for the loss of only 3 wickets, led by two superb innings from Maplestone (84) and Beynon (84 not out). At the lunch break, this total looked far out of reach, as with a required run rate of 10+ per over, the TJ team had very negative thoughts.
This was compounded even further, when they lost 4 quick wickets and were floundering at 15 for 4, which moved skipper Harry “Harrow” Catchpole to declare, rather stoically, “we’re gonna be humped here, boys”, but, as they say, it’s never over until the fat lady sings, and led by an absolutely astounding innings of 133 not out from Hayden Bollard, including 15 sixes, they came back from the dead to complete a stunning 4 wicket win. To give you an idea of how good his innings was, at one stage, he shared a sixth wicket stand of 102 with his partner, Marlow, only contributing 12!
So, a wonderful weekend’s cricket, with all 3 teams having won 1 and lost 1, but who won the Cup? Out came the calculators and it was then down to nett run rate, with final calculations giving the T. Valuers the overall win, with Ibiza second and TJ’s third. However, it must be put on record that the Bristol side are a specialist 20/20 team so their valuable experience in this form of the game proved decisive. Congratulations all round and thanks must go to the visitors’ skipper Catchpole for returning with his team to Ibiza and we hope that they will return once again, sooner rather than later. As for the T. Valuers XI, it was great to welcome them and they have promised to return in 2 years time so we look forward to that!
IBIZA CRICKET CLUB