The Optimists welcomed back our friends from Deutsche Welle CC for 2 games last weekend in near-perfect conditions. Saturday's match was a 40 over challenge and the visitors did well to score 242 for 9 after a lower order fightback. Pick of the bowlers was Kerry Fraser with 2 for 37 off 8 overs and William Cope with 2 for 9 off his 6. The chase started steadily but the needed acceleration was provided by Tony Whiteman (41) and finished off by an excellent unbeaten 57 from Girish Venkateswaran to complete a 5 wicket win.
Sunday morning was to be a 30 over match and Optimists elected to bat. Again a steady start set the platform well. Praveen Kuruvalli carried his bat to an unbeaten 76. this time the acceleration came from skipper Joost Mees and Vikram Vijh (both 37) to create a target of 229. In reply Deutsche Welle played well but the run rate pressure was building. Wickets began to fall and 2 good catches from Murali helped the process. But it was the mystery spin of Jeroen Van der Knoop that sealed the win with 3 wickets for just 18 runs to add to his impeccable 'match manager' credentials. A 66 run victory was sealed amongst smiles from all parties to end another great weekend of cricket in Walferdange.