Ibiza CC v Saracens Cricket Club 1st XI - Match 1
First game of tour and after celebrating Vinny's 50th the night before surprisingly all 12 players were available for selection with Conor (Brick) standing down.
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The pitch was an artificial football pitch with the bounce a little uneven . opening with Tricky and Cabbie Ibiza scored quickly as we conceded 40 in the first six overs before cabbie made the break through with hitchy taking a good catch. bun came on and immediately took a wicket caught behind by Ben . With two short boundaries either side of the wicket it was difficult to keep the run rate down not helped by the numerous full tosses bowled of which the No 3 took a liken too. In the 13th over with 86 on the board Hitchy took the next wicket with a smart catch by tricky (catch of the day)and then had another lbw the next over.
At 90-4 after 15 we hoped to keep Ibiza to 150 but with Jenks giving everyone a bowl the oppo scored another 90 off the next 9 overs with the No 3 Mills and No 5 - Twins hitting to all parts. With Mills approaching 100 Vinnie bowled his only decent ball of his one over and Ben did the rest stumped and cue celebration for Vinnie's first Sarries wicket after 12 years . All the team were brought down to earth next ball when Jenks broke his thumb attempting to take a tough catch.
Conor was summoned from the stand and took to the field as replacement.
Another 3 wickets fell in quick succession with a run out and Bun picking up 2 wickets including Twins bringing a big cheer from those in the stand, followed by Dinghy's first wicket of the game. A late onslaught by No 11 Amos took the score to 215-9 off 30 overs. Bowlers figures as follows: Tricky 0-17, Cabbie 1-23, Dingy 1-31, Bun 3-42, Hitchy 2-23, Jenks 0-13, Tony B 0-9, Woody 0-11, Chris B 0-21 and Vinnie 1-19.
Opening with woody and Vinnie we race to 39 off 3 overs before Vinnie was adjudged lbw for 14 and Woody went soon after for 25. Ben and Hitchy found it difficult on a pitch hard to get used to and Ben was next to go for 5.
Hitchy and and the newly nicknamed Tony Hip Hop harry Bunyan added 26 before 3 wickets for 3 runs with Hitchy(32) Hip Hop Harry (7) and Tricky(0) all falling. 10 runs were added before Cabbie (8) went followed soon after by Bun (4).
At 107 Chris (0) and Conor(0) went in successive balls and our innings was over with Dingy (11 n.o). We reached 107 and a loss by 108 runs.
A combination of dropped catches, not used to the pitch and losing your main run scorer did not help and improvement needed for game 2
W award: Jenks
Champagne moment: Vinnie (1st Sarries wicket)
Shot of day: Hitchy six
Catch of day: Tricky
Despite the loss, the Sarries Barmy army with new tour additions Angela - prosecco queen, Beth - Queen B, Caitlin and Ailayh all in good voice.
Ibiza CC v Saracens Cricket Club 1st XI - Match 2
Game two and with Jenks plastered up the same 11 arrived and this time Sarries were batting first.
Skipper Hitchy struggling from the night before sorted out batting order and Woody and Tricky opened. They put on 24 before Woody was caught for 13. Having voiced an opinion about batting higher Cabbie was promoted to No 3 with Ben graciously moving down the order to accommodate him. Unfortunately his stay was shortlived out second ball for 0.
Hitchy joined tricky and added 11 before Tricky(12) was caught. Vinnie joined Hitchy but at 44 played an awful shot and was bowled (a few swear words and chair kicking followed). Ben strode to wicket and hit first ball for six but lost Hitchy(8) the ball before drinks.
With Ben looking confident someone had to stay with him, 19 was added with Dingy(5) and Tony (Hip Hop Harry) went without troubling the scorers. Ben reached his 50 and with Bun added 24 before Ben went for 66.
Conor joined Bun and batting left handed hit his first ball for 4 and with Bun took the score to 138-8 with Bun finishing the innings with a 4,6 (over mid wicket and into the stand)and 4. Conor finished 5 n.o with Chris B not required to bat.
Before taking to field team decided any dropped catches would receive a fine of 5 euros hoping to improve our catching.
Bun and Tony B opened and kept it tight with Bun picking up the opener with a smart catch from Hitchy. An inspired Tricky came on first change and grabbed two quick wickets (Bowled and caught) which brought the well liked Partridge to the wicket.
With polite sledging from the field and the Sarries barmy army it wasn't long before we had the wicket we wanted . A superb bit of fielding from Cabbie running in from deep cover, a perfect throw and Partridge was well short - cue joyous celebration and a slow begrudging walk off with the Sarries Barmy army celebrations ringing in his ear.
The barmy Sarries army were in full voice with a rendition of YMCA and saw tricky pick up his 3rd wicket (bowled) and Ibiza were 40-5 at drinks after 15 overs. After drinks Ibiza played themselves into the game with Cooper and Crutwell batting well.
Despite the efforts of all the bowlers and fielders they took the total to 125 before Tricky ended the partnership with a smart Ben stumping. With 13 needed off 12 balls, Parmeter hit two sixes leaving Dingy to bowl the last over with only one needed which Ibiza duly got off the first ball. Bowlers figures as follows : Bun 1-28, Tony B 0-44, Tricky 4-11, Dingy 0-30, Cabbie 0-34.
W award Cabby - out 2nd ball after promoting himself in the order.jpg?mode=max&format=jpg&quality=85)
Shot of day Bun - 6 over mid wicket
Catch of day - Tricky
Champagne moment - Sarries Barmy army singing YMCA
End of a tough season which saw 5 wins 3 draws and 12 losses although at least 4 of the losses were by a close margin. Well done to Tricky for captaining the side and trying to get 11 each week.
Thanks to all the supporters who brave all sorts of weather each Sunday to come and support the side. Thank you to Les Hitch for commentary each week and for the organising of the fantasy league and website.
Have a good winter and see you next year TTFN
