Optimists Cricket Club News story


Star beat WOCC in tight LCF final

28 Sep 2010


Star CC edged a very tight play-off final for the Luxembourg cricket league title on Sunday 26th September, beating the Walferdange Optimists CC by one wicket. Batting first on a cool, damp day with a slow outfield, Walferdange Optimists CC made decent progress scoring 124 for 2 in 22 overs until Deepak Gianchandani took two wickets of both settled batsman. Here after, they were unable to kick-on to post a really imposing total, losing their remaining wickets for about 50 runs and failing to bat out the overs. Still, the final total of 169 was challenging at 4.8 runs per over.
WOCC: Phil Burliegh 54, Joost Mees 45, Piran Merkl 24
SCC: Deepak Gianchandani 3/20  Altaf 3/26

In reply, Star CC made consistent progress, staying up with the run rate. But at each stage when they looked like making the game safe a wicket would fall to bring the title decider back into the balance. WOCC fielding was committed and skilful, with several smart catches and a direct-hit run out. Finally, 14 runs were required with four overs remaining and only one wicket left to take. With the occasional wobble against probing spin bowling the final pair Gianchandani and Trivedi got Star over the line with just six balls to spare.
 
 Star CC: Altaf 30, Amarnath 28, Roshan Vishwanath 26,
WOCC: Piran Merkl 4/35 C Evans 3/49

The previous day, Arcelor Mittal CC edged the Communities CC by two wickets in the 3rd place playoff. The final game of the year is scheduled for 3rd October at the Walferdange ground before the season goes indoors from November. See www.optimists.cc for details.