A weekend of highs and lows for Mallorca CC

AFTER a six year absence Cholmondely CC from Cheshire made a welcome return to the Mallorca Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Mallorca won the toss and elected to bat. Mallorca were soon in trouble when East was out for nought in the first over. Eric George regained his form and hit 43 before being out to a catch by Moss off Evans. Yaseen was out for 8 bowled by Gilford, Mallorca 26 for 2 by the 6th over. Joel “DG” Dowland, a young David Gower look alike, hence the “DG” tag, shone once more as he and Shafeek pushed the score along nicely. Dowland reached his half century in just over the hour, but was bowled by Wade–Smith for 55 in the 24th over. Shafeek had a profitable run a minute stint at the crease before he was stumped for 31, again Wade –Smith was the perpetrator. Mel Bird hit a useful 17, but it was left to Billy Morris and Jamie Carter to take Mallorca's score past the 200 mark. Carter was in sparkling form again, and had Morris running hard between the wickets. Morris finished unbeaten on 17, and Carter 40 not out. It was a somewhat weary Morris who made his way back to the dressing room, this is the man who prefers to make his runs in boundaries! Mallorca's final tally 224 for 6 from 40 overs. Cholmondeley's Jamie Clarke had barely taken guard when Scott Appleby bowled him off the first ball from the first over. The next over, from Dowland was a maiden, and Mallorca's opening bowlers looked to be in command. However, there was to be a frustrating time ahead! First wicket down was P. Evans 'Good Evans' would have been more appropriate, he put on a terrific one man show, that is until Bodsworth, on loan to his “home team” came in at No.7 to assist in an exciting stand of 123! Evans was finally dismissed by a fine catch by Mel Bird off Shafeek just ten short of his century. Bodsworth fell foul of some splendid fielding by the razor sharp Jamie Carter, who ran him out on 39. There was little resistence by the tourist's tail, they finished on 186 all out. Mallorca's bowlers acquitted themselves very well, Appleby: 8 overs 1 maiden 29 for 2, Dowland: 8 overs 1 maiden 27 for 3, and Shafeek 6 overs 16 for 3. Carter took 1 wicket from his only over. Sunday saw North Down CC from Northern Ireland arrive, if somewhat belatedly, at the Mallorca Cricket Ground. They had got lost on the way. Nice guys that they are, it would have probably been best had they failed to arrive at all! Mallorca CC's Sunday XI would certainly have been spared the embarrassment they were to suffer! North Down Cricket Club was founded in 1857, and has a long and distinguished history. Several members of their squad are Internationals, and North Down CC are current Section 1 Champions of the Northern Cricket Union. They have 4 Saturday teams, this pedigree gives some indication of their strength. So, cut to THE GAME. The tourists won the toss and elected to bat. Opening pair Montgomery and Carser made swift inroads, it wasn't until the twelfth over that there came a glimmer of light at the end of what seemed like a long dark tunnel for the homeside. Iain Carser who had taken just 40 minutes to reach his half century was bowled by Dowland for 60 with the score standing at 99. The brief euphoria was short lived, as the visitors piled on another 59 runs before Billy Morris bamboozled Russell into decamping from his crease for Adam Leggett to stump him for 26. Irish International R. Haire joined Montgomery, and the runs just kept coming. I have to tell it like it was, and it pains me to say that Mallorca's heads were down, and the fielding in some instances was lethargic. There was brief respite when Dylan George bowled the troublesome Montgomery for 78, but it was momentary because Haire was now partnered by yet another International, Shields. The pair were in fantastic form, in perfect batting weather they gave the beleagered Mallorca side plenty to chase. Haire sportingly retired, unbeaten on 79. Shields fell victim to another stumping from Adam Leggett off Burnett for 78. It had been a masterclass! Patterson and A. Haire finished off the innings with 25 and 13 not out. North Down's total 388 for 4 from 40 overs. To save further blushes a veil will be drawn over Mallorca's bowling figures.
With a veritable Everest to climb Mallorca's opening pair Morris and George made commendable progress. Morris, with kick off time looming at Son Moix, and having scored 69, had to take his leave. Due to lack of players he had agreed to step in, but on the proviso that he be allowed to leave to see the Real Mallorca Match. He made his getaway along with Adam Leggett and Dowland! Scott Appleby was out cheaply, but then Jamie Carter and step–father Charles Holcroft went on to produce a useful stand of 44. Holcroft was out bowled by Russell for 16, and Carter was retired on 32 by skipper Mike Gladstone in the 37th over in order to give others a bat. Dylan George was stumped on 14, and Simon Burnett and Toby Holcroft finished unbeaten on 3 and 8 respectively. Mallorca's final score 197 for 4. It was a great shame that North Down CC wasn't able to meet the Mallorca CC's 1st XI. It would, in my opinion, have been a feast of cricket. Hopefully the Irish contingent will return, as promised, in the near future. North Down CC's 388 score will undoubtedly go down in Mallorca CC's history as the highest to be recorded against the homeside. In true Irish fashion the boys from North Down CC attempted, and I believe, almost succeeded in drinking the bar dry! The singing could be heard in Palma! Tomorrow North Down CC will play Sussex Over 50*s XI. I suggest that lovers of cricket get on down to the Mallorca Cricket Ground at 1:00pm and enjoy what should be a very pleasant afternoon. The bar and tea room will be open. Thursday Mallorca play Sussex Over 50*s XI, and Saturday Mallorca play host to Reigate Grammar XI. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free. The ground is situated behind the sports stadium in Magaluf.