Glens Manage 1st Spanish Saturday Victory at 7th Time of Asking

A touring party of 22 made the trip which cumlinated in 2 games of cricket on the Saturday and the Sunday.

Skipper Greig Hopcroft won the toss and elected to bat first in the 30 degree heat of Albir.

Things started out ok, but after a 28 opening partnership Glenrothes were quickly 47 for 4 with Richard Evason (8), guest tourist Ben Wilkinson (0), Ian Dale (8) and Guy Robinson (0) all back in the pavilion. This brought Hopcroft together with Greaves who was looking in good touch.

The pair put on 53 to take the score to 100 before Hopcroft was out stumped, with the keeper managing to drop the ball onto the stumps rather fortuitously! Sim (10) and Wardle (21) played some nice shots in tandem with Greaves before his luck ran out and he was caught on the boundary having made an excellent 84 runs.

Another guest tourist Scott Lucas then entered the fray and showed his batting ability in addition to his bowling. He played some lovely shots on his way to making 23 runs not out at the end.

Glenrothes managed 210 runs for 9 wickets in their 40 overs, this was a good total and would be a challenging chase for the home side.

In reply Glens opened with spin, with Scott Lucas bowling in tandem with pace bowler Kenny Crichton. In his 1st 4 over spell, Lucas took 1 wicket for only 9 runs and Crichton managed 2 wickets for 22 runs from his 5 overs.

The wickets of Spanish internationals Spencer, Munoz and Pennick saw Alfas slump to 11 for 3 in only 5 overs. Glens bowlers continued to take important wickets whilst not letting the opposition score runs. Wardle came into the attack and bowled well, taking 3 wickets. Ben Wilkinson bowled well and bowled 6 solid overs. Lucas returned to take a further 2 wickets for only 8 runs to end with 3 for 17 from his 6.2 overs.

Sporting Alfas were all out for 129 to give Glenrothes their first Saturday performance against the Spanish outfit in the 7 the year of touring!!

On Sunday the batting let Glenrothes down a little where they collapsed to 68 all out against Alfa's 2nd XI. In reply Glenrothes managed to take a few wickets to make a fight of the game but not enough runs were on the board. Highlights were "non-cricketer" Jamie Hope's 15 not out, Brian Corr's annual duck and Cameron Paton scoring runs and bowling a maiden over.

A very enjoyable tour was had by all and thanks once again to Sporting Alfas for their hospitality.

Touring Party: Greig Hopcroft, Chris Greaves, Kenny Crichton, Guy Robinson, Ian Dale, Andy Muir, John McNulty, Ally Sim, Ross Mearns, Rachel Fraser, Jamie Hope, Rachel White, Deborah Paton, Kenny Paton, Cameron Paton, Brian Corr, Dave Snook, Robert Hutchison, Brett Wardle, Christopher Yarwood, Richard Evason, Jade Evason