Thursday, May 1st

SACC 1st XI 258-3 declared
XL Club 259-2

The annual match in memory of George Smith took place at the Woodbridge Oval on May 1st. Alan Fletcher won the toss and batted first on what turned out to be a good for the batsmen only. Hersh and Tait soon fell to the XL Club openers, Kellington and Bacon both taking a wicket apiece to bring in the big guns of Kevin Laundon and former bowler Ben Fletcher, who both dominated the bowlers to put on 230 for the 3rd wicket before Fletcher was stumped off Stammers for 107. With Laundon on 118 at the other end, a sporting declaration was made with the score standing at 258-3.

The XL Club started in the same fashion, losing two quick wickets before numbers 3 and 4 got to the crease and dominated as the Alfas batsman had done in the first innings, with Paul Standfield and Andy Stammers scoring 117 and 110 respectively to hand the visitors a well-deserved victory. The only bowler to distinguish himself was Steve Cowley, who ended with 52-2.

Saturday, May 3rd

Barcelona CC 177 all out
SACC 1st XI 179-10

Cricket España League game sponsored by Fandangos restaurant (Albir)

On a gorgeous sunny day the Barcelona captain won the toss and surprised no-one by choosing to bat first. In typical fashion the Barcelona opener took a good look at the first ball before trying to smash the second out of the country only to top edge it to Shafique, who took a magnificent catch.The Alfas bowling attack continued to bowl tight lines, and, with some great catches, the top five had gone with just 35 on the board. Tariq and Tanveer came to the crease to steady the ship and steered the Barcelona total to 95 before Tanveer played a poor shot to be caught by Pennick for 27. Qasar came to the crease to hit some huge sixes before falling to another good catch in the deep off Mudassar. Barcelona finally reached 177 all out, with Mudassar (14-4) and Lupson (29-2) the pick of the Alfas bowlers.

In the face of some accurate, full-pitched fast bowling, Alfas lost quick early wickets. Wasim Ul-Rehaman dug deep to keep Alfas in the game with the scores at 24-4 and Mudassar smashed a quick 16 in the space of two overs before being given out for handling the ball. When Wasim also went, leaving SACC at 75-6, Spencer and Fletcher put together a partnership of 55, leaving the ninth wicket bowling duo of Muñoz and Lupson to compile the final 44 required and take Alfas to a good team win. For Barcelona Tanveer and Zakulla both bowled well, taking 6 of the wickets between them.

Sunday, May 4th

Barcelona CC 395-7 (40 overs)
SACC 2nd XI 200-7 (40 overs)

The 2nd XI's strong start to the Spanish League Northern Division came to a shuddering halt at the hands of Barcelona CC who in turn notched their first win of the campaign.
 
Having won the toss for the third straight match, the home skipper's luck ran out when he chose to field first. Barcelona, recent winners of a national 20/20 Championship at La Manga, started in stand and deliver mode and never looked back. All of the top four batsmen (Khalid, Saqar, Armagan and Aamir) passed fifty at better than a run a ball, setting a platform for the middle and lower order to play an equally swashbuckling game that left the home bowlers on their knees. When the innings finally closed at 395 for 7, SACC 2's only consolation was the visitors had not managed to overhaul the longstanding record of 406 runs in 40 overs. Brad Seekings 2 for 40 in 4 overs and Mudassar Yousaf's 2 for 74 from 8 were the standout bowling figures, but in truth too many catches were spilt against one of the league's most talented line-ups.
 
In reply, SACC 2 were soon in bother as Tanveer (1 for 24 from 5 overs) and Zaka (2 for 36 from 5) removed both openers. A sublime counter-attacking 107 from S.Ur-Rehman, his second league century of the season, helped the hosts restore some pride and pick up some useful batting points that may yet prove crucial in the final analysis, but in truth Barcelona's mammoth total was never under threat. Apart from useful contributions from Muñoz (22) and Fletcher (20), Barcelona were able to close out a crushing 195 run win in comfort, with Khalid (1 for 29 from 8 overs) just about the pick of the bowlers.

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:

Next weekend sees the 1st and 2nd XIs take on each other in the league on Saturday. Match sponsored by Porters Bar.