After back-to-back defeats against the Midweek and 1st XIs on Friday and Saturday, Milan CC ended their tour on a real high with an overwhelming 110-run victory against Sporting Alfas CC's struggling Sunday 2nd XI.

Friday, March 21st

SACC MW XI 170-6 (25 overs)
Milan CC 159-6 (25 overs)

On a blustery, overcast day requiring at least one sweater, Captain Bellis won the toss and elected to bat first with the match reduced to 25 overs owing to the late start. An unusual first over saw 1st XI skipper Kevin Laundon smash 16 runs before departing to a smart catch in the gully off the final ball. The home side's final total of 170 was built around another fine knock by 17 year old Spain all-rounder Christian Muñoz, who amassed 66 before retiring in the 20th over, with useful contributions from Marriner (10), Pennick (15), Perrins (26) and Cowley (17 not out). Special mention goes to Milan's young keeper, Glenn Coppack, who put in an immaculate performance behind the stumps, that included a catch and a very sharp stumping. His 13 year old sister, Katie, who bowled three very respectable overs from the top end and held onto a sharp catch, also had a very good day.

Between them, Howden, Packiam and Cowley accounted for Milan's top three to leave the score standing at 51-3 after 11 overs. Vikram, who was dropped twice on the boundary off Marriner on his way to a rapid 77, and Cooke (27), added 90 for the fourth wicket to set up a thrilling finish with a highly-gettable target of 30 runs off the last 24 balls. However, a frugal last few overs from Perrins (1 for 11 off 4 overs) and Pennick, who found his radar after an expensive first eight balls that went for 23 to end with 1 for 29 off 18 balls, steered the MW XI to their first victory of the season by the narrow margin of 11 runs.

Saturday, March 22nd

Milan CC 228-8 (40 overs)
SACC 1st XI 229-6 (36 overs)

On an afternoon that started brightly, but clouded over to reduce visibility significantly during the final overs, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat. Krisna and Dawson flourished initially against the pace of Lupson and Muñoz before falling in consecutive overs to the left-arm orthodox spin of Wasim (2 for 31 off 8), but only having posting an extremely useful opening partnership of 125 off 19 overs. Wasim was ably supported from the bottom end by his right-arm spin-twin, Mudasser, who put in another good spell to end with the fine figures of 3 for 29 off 8. Ross-Gower Senior ended up not out on 31 and there were also useful contributions from Vikram (18) and Lawrence (15) as the visitors posted a very respectable total of 228-8 at the end of their allotted 40 overs. Perrins chipped in with a couple of cheap wickets at the end to finish with 2 for 10 off 2 and there was also an encouraging spell from fellow 1st XI debutant, Aslan, who did not take a wicket, but bowled tidily, conceding just 12 runs from his three overs with the run-chase very much on.

In reply, Shafique Ali and Pennick got the innings off to its habitual fine start, smashing 79 off the first 12 overs before the Spain glove-man was pouched in the deep off Vikram for 58. Pennick and Wasim added 46 for the second wicket before the Chairman was caught plum in front off Kumar for a well-crafted 44 in the 21st over with 125 on the board. In the failing light and with no apparent need for the rest of the middle order to get padded up, Howe (52) and Wasim (55) seemed to have everything in control having steered the total to 207 with eight overs still remaining. However, Wasim's well-intentioned though ultimately unwise decision to retire having reached his fifty led to a degree of panic within the home ranks as a flurry of quick wickets tumbled. Notwithstanding, Muñoz and Perrins each scored a single to clinch the victory in the gathering gloom with four overs still remaining and the same number of wickets in hand. Another fine display behind the stumps from young Glenn Coppack and credit also goes to young Jack Ross-Gower, who bowled a beguiling late spell of loopy leg-spin to end with 2 for 18 off 3.

Sunday, March 23rd

Milan CC 236-7 (35 overs)
SACC 2nd XI 122 all out

On another windy day, Milan won the toss and elected to bat first. Ramesh and Lawrence started the innings off in fine style, putting on 68 for the first wicket before Ramesh was surprised by a rare full-pitched delivery that caught him dead in front after a barrage of short stuff. Skipper Marriner followed up by removing Lawrence for a smart 53, but Coppack consolidated for the tourists smashing the Alfas attack to all corners of the ground on his way to a fine 67 before falling to former rugby star Simon Hersh. Cheshire Boys' 'keeper Glenn Coppack also made a classy, undefeated 48 as the tourists went on to post a challenging 236-7 off their 35 overs.

The home side's innings seemed to carry on from where they left off in the field with a string of top order failures though young Jack Hersh looked in good touch as he belted five boundaries before being caught for 22. The return to the crease after a seven-year absence for club debutant Mark Spencer was the only highlight of an otherwise desultory performance. After playing himself in, Spencer compiled a well-made 47 that included some huge sixes before falling to a very sharp catch at short mid-wicket off Kumar (3 for 17). The fact that he agreed to buy a jug despite not having reached his half century only served to lend weight to the case for his imminent inclusion in an already very strong Saturday side. The home side reached just 122 before surrendering their final wicket to lose by 110 runs, and things can now only get better for the SACC Sunday 2nd XI side after a somewhat disappointing start to the season.

Junior coaching

Junior cricket coaching takes place most Sunday mornings at the Woodbridge Oval, Playa Albir, starting at 10.30am.

For all those cricket lovers wishing to watch, play, umpire or score, please contact either Director of Cricket Steve Lewis on 660246351 or Chairman Phil Pennick on 620409173, 96 686 5792, e-mail pennick88@yahoo.co.uk. or visit the club’s webpage at http://sacc.hitscricket.com/home/default.aspx

Or, just come down and watch!

Coming up:

Merchant Taylors School will be with us this week - they take on the Academy on Tuesday and Friday, the MW XI on Wednesday and the Forties Club of Spain on Thursday.
 
Next weekend sees the return of Cryptics CC with games against the 1st, 2nd and MW XIs respectively on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.