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Saturday, 1st March

La Manga CC  225-3 (40 overs)
SACC 1st XI  223 all out (27.3 overs)

For the second time this season, Sporting Alfas CC hosted La Manga CC
in a friendly match.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first, although opening
bowler Lupson soon broke through, removing Hancock for 1 in just his
second over. By the time Muñoz had Reg caught at the wicket by Ali, La
Manga had slumped to 29-2 after 11 overs and were in some disarray. A
fine stand of 169 between N.Brook and Guppy restored momentum to the
innings, and was only ended by the unfortunate run out of the latter
for a fine 79. Late runs were added with a flurry from J.Brook (13
n.o.), and with his father Neil carrying his bat to finish undefeated
on 76, the visitors closed on 225-3 after their 40 overs. For the home side,
although wickets were scarce, economy rates were good, with Lupson
(1-45), Muñoz (1-50) and Afzal (0-29) all compiling tidy figures for their alloted 8 overs.

In reply, SACC blitzed their way to 100 runs inside 12 overs with both
Pennick (52) and Ali (60) making hay before retiring to offer
opportunities to the middle order. Incredibly, a monumental collapse
ensued, with Brook (3-25) and Guppy (2-27) the main culprits. A
composed 44 from Crompton was required to put the home side seemingly
back on track. But when he fell - to the bowling of Tom - three runs
were still required for victory, and the last wicket consisted of two
players who had picked up injuries earlier in the match, Lewis and
Morgan. Lewis took a single before Morgan was caught by Brook off the
bowling of Rouple (1-38), and chaotic scenes followed as the visitors
claimed the win whilst the home side claimed that the retired batsman
should be allowed to come back in.

Standing umpire Brian Pitts swiftly ruled that the batsman had retired
"out" and therefore a somewhat controversial victory was La Manga's by
the fine margin of two runs.

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:

This weekend's visitors to the Woodbridge Oval are Sutton CC, a side
who can always be counted upon to provide an excellent challenge, with
both games scheduled to start at 12.30pm.