Predicting the Creditwest Cricket League results is a mugs game said umpire Tom Shirley, as the second weekend’s games threw up shock results
The 4 University teams in the league went head to head last Sunday at the Alsancak Stadium. The morning game saw the Middle East Technical University bat first and they were quickly reduced to 57 for 7 on a low bouncing wicket, before stylish Maaz 29 and Saad 18 helped them to recover to 119 all out. Association founder Nigel Holman has consistently said they are the most naturally talented of the University teams, but even he thought the total wouldn’t be enough.
Needing only 120 to win, the very experienced Gazimağusa team, Eastern Mediterranean University, looked to be totally in control, particularly when opener Sohail Khilji 38 and middle order batsman Asif Ali 33 were at the crease. METU’s extremely accurate bowlers fought back, conceding only 3 wides. The resulting pressure, none of the other batsmen could resist and the last man lost his middle stump 6 runs short of the target, giving the team from Kalkanlı their first ever League win. METU 30 and EMU 8 Creditwest League points.
After lunch the two Lefkoşa sides met. One of the League’s founding members, Near East Unıversıty, batted first looking to post a serious score. New boys, Cyprus International University’s bowlers had other ideas, ripping their unfocused opponents apart and in what appeared to be no time, had them all out for 49. Not even earning them 1 batting league point.
Photographer Mike Turner told us there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with the pitch, it had even bounce and decent pace, so he felt the CIU were set for a comfortable stroll to their first league victory. For some inexplicable reason, that the fans couldn’t understand, wickets tumbled and from dominating, CIU were staring defeat in the face. The tiny total of 50 needed, seemed a huge mountain to climb, their supporters relief was tangable as with a few lucky edges, they managed to crawl over the winning line, with 3 wickets still in hand. The shrieks of delight from the CIU scorer must have been heard miles away in Girne said Association committee member Susan Turner with a smile. CIU 30 and NEU 3 Creditwest League points.
Creditwest Cricket League |
||||||
|
Team |
Played | Won | Drawn | Lost |
Points |
|
|
1 |
Middle East Technical University |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 36 |
|
2 |
Cyprus International University |
1 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
30 |
|
3 |
Cyprus Stars |
1 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
30 |
|
4 |
Lefkoşa Legends |
1 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
30 |
|
5 |
Near East University |
2 |
0 | 0 | 2 |
14 |
|
6 |
Eastern Mediterranean University |
1 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
8 |
|
7 |
Gentlemen of Girne |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
More matches this Sunday (20th March) Creditwest Cricket League at the Alsancak Stadium:
09.30 Lefkoşa Legends vs Gentlemen of Girne
13:00 Cyprus Stars vs Cyprus International University
For more information go to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Cricket Club Facebook page click here or Telephone: 0533 8248999or contact by email at nigel@nigelholman.com
