Daily News of Life and times in North Cyprus goes around the world
Last Saturday 10th June saw the West Ladies Cricket Team wrap up the inaugural Creditwest North Cyprus match with a comfortable win over their East rivals.
Val Maskell, East’s captain, won the toss and put the West into bat hoping for more luck than the previous week at the Pia Bella Stadium. She had said her team were determined to level the series by winning the second match.
West’s Captain Gina Mapp opened with Iranian, Ayttis Lilianna putting on a very credible 46 runs in the first 6 overs. Norwegian, Rannveig Ystaas then came to the crease with Steph Routledge and hammered 65 runs, their only blemish when Routledge was too slow in regaining her ground after an aborted run which cost the pair 5 runs. The East’s bowlers plugged away but mostly found wickets elusive, only Filipino, Gloria Garcia having any success going for 23 from her 3 overs. The West scored a total of 111 runs, which cricket lovers will know is referred to as a ‘Nelson’. The term made famous by the legendary England Umpire David Sheppard always standing on one leg when this score was reached.
The East set about the required run rate of 9.33/overs with Linda Hurley and Gloria Garcia reaching 31 after 3 overs and the crowd sensed a dramatic fight to the winning line. However, for their 4th over, Mapp bowled a very tight line and they could only manage 1 run, Further low scoring overs followed, with Ystaas’s over again going for only 1. Despite the batsmen’s best efforts they had only scored 40 runs at the half way point of their side’s innings. In other games it would have been a decent total, but they were facing a massive task.
Lynn Holman and Val Maskell now faced getting 12/overs, tough at any time, but against the strength of their opposition’s bowling it would require something special. They attacked from the first ball and in any other circumstances made good progress reaching 16 from their first two overs, but the required scoring rate continued to grow and with 24 balls remaining had become 2.33/balls. Their considerable experience told them they had nothing to lose, Holman led the charge throwing caution to the wind, looking for big shots off every ball, but each time she was out 5 runs were deducted and the task became harder, with 12 balls left the required rate had risen to 3.75/balls. A daunting figure in any form of cricket. In the final over bowled by Mapp 2 more wickets fell and the East finished losing by 42 runs.
Afterwards, TRNC captain Gina Mapp congratulated everyone on their outstanding season and looked forward to the return of Ladies cricket in September after the summer break.
For more information please call Gina on 0533 833 2069.
Last Saturday 3rd June saw the inaugural Creditwest North Cyprus Ladies series pitch West against East in a hard fought battle. The match was held at the Pia Bella stadium’s 5-a-side football pitch and was contested by teams of 4 players, a fast and furious format based upon indoor cricket.
TRNC captain Gina Mapp explained that following the North’s decisive wins last month against both the South Cyprus teams, they weren’t now able to field sides against us. So, as the cricket is amazing fun, we didn’t want it to die and therefore have created our own two match competition between players West of Girne and to the East.
West’s Steph Routledge and Lindsey Brown opened immediately smashed the bowling for 51 runs in their 4 overs. Next Ayttis Lilianna contributed 5, but the final pairing of Rannveig Ystaas and Gina Mapp added only 4 as the East’s Lynn Holman and Linda Hurley took a wicket apiece. Debutant Gloria Garcia kept the pressure on conceding only 5 runs from her bowling, followed by an outstandingly tight death over of -3 by Val Maskell. With each wicket being scored as minus 5 runs, it kept the West’s final score in check at 55.
East’s reply got off to a promising start, but accurate bowling from Routledge and Ystaas didn’t allow Holman and Maskell to make a big enough inroad into the total within their 4 overs. Ayttis Lilianna bowling her own loopy style was also difficult to score off. The pressure of getting 34 runs for victory proved too much for the final pair of Garcia and Hurley. They attacked bravely, but Hurley was out a couple of times to good balls from both Routledge and Mapp which put the score beyond them, leaving a final total of 28.
Afterwards, coach Nigel Holman added it’s a great shame we couldn’t play against South Cyprus, but having our own competition had created a high level match, with outstanding personal performances, for example our 3 strike bowlers of Brown, Maskell and Routledge, bowling only one wide between them and Mapp taking a reaction catch with the ball being deflected of the roof netting.
11am at Pia Bella next Saturday will see the final match in the series with the West looking for revenge. Anyone interested in playing or watching is very welcome. For more information please call Gina on 0533 833 2069.
Left to right :Back row: Bill Brown (umpire), Ayttis Lilianna, Val Maskell, Lindsey Brown, Rannveig Ystaas, Nigel Holman (umpire), Kevin Mapp (scorer)
Front row: Steph Routledge, Lynn Holman, Gina Mapp, Gloria Garcia, Linda Hurley
On Sunday 21st May, the Gentlemen of Girne lost their match against The Ozanköy Cricket Club and the Gentlemen of Girne failed to qualify for the final. The Lefkosa Legends and the Ozanköy Cricket Club then went head to head for 2017 Spring Creditwest Cricket League final.
Legends Captain, Muhammad Haseeb winning the toss elected to bat first. Lefkosa Legends openers, Slaman Khan and Muhammad Abid made a very sensible start with 45 runs in 5 overs with a loss of no wickets. The most important partnership from Lefkosa Legends was from Salman Khan who scored the first ever “Century” (101 runs) with a help of 9 sixes and 6 fours, Legends Captain, Muhammad Haseeb 7 runs, Bazid 13 runs and Shabir Ahmed who scored a useful 11 runs and it was a brilliant finish and defendable total of 208 runs in 20 overs from Lefkosa Legends.
In reply, to 209 runs target, The Ozanköy Cricket Club opener didn’t start well and it was Muhammad Bilal who walked to the pavillion in the 3rd over with only 19 runs and after that Osman scored 31 runs, with help of 4 sixes and 1 four and Gaffar 24 runs with the help of 3 fours and 1 six,
But it was not over for the Legends, Idress from Legends struck the first wickets, in the 3rd over and that was the time when they came back into the game, and Ozanköy was in trouble with 80 runs in 10 overs with a loss of 3 wickets. Slowly and gradually the Ozanköy batsmen brothers, Muhammad Irfan scored 31 runs with the help of 3 sixes and 2 fours and Muhammad Imran scored 38 runs with the help of 3 sixes and 3 fours.
That was the turning point and match winning partnership. It was a thrilling match and a joy to watch. Ozanköy batsman, Muhammad Imran hits Legends bowler’s deliveries brutally and completely took the game away from the Legends. The Ozanköy Cricket Club then went on to win the final by three wickets in 18 overs and became the new champions for Creditwest 2017 Spring Cricket League.
The new Creditwest TRNC Cricket season will start in September 2017,
For more information go to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Cricket Club Facebook page click here or Contact Chairman of TRNC Cricket Association Danish Afridi.
Telephone: 0548 890 4835 or email danisheen2001@yahoo.com
Last Sunday the 7th May, saw the first match between Middle East Technical University vs Near East University which was held at the Bellapais ground. Winning the toss, Masroor Ahmed the Near East University, Captain invited Middle East Technical University to bat first.
METU made a very grumpy start when they went 6 wickets down in six overs with a total of 62 runs in 9 overs with Captain, Muzzamil and tail ender hitting a strong 38 runs. Now it was looking like NEU had good prospects of a win but METU came back into the game with a help of their strong hitter Nihal with 16 runs, Khalid with 10 and Danial with 15 useful runs to give a defendable target of 151 runs in 20 overs.
In reply to 151 runs, the NEU didn’t look confident at all, when both openers were confused by the brilliant bowling performances from the METU bowlers. NEU were continuously losing wickets and .the only resistance showed, was from all-rounder Adeel but still that was not good enough. After Adeel lost his wicket it was obvious that METU had stamped their 3 victory in the Creditwest Spring 2017 Cricket League.
The second match held was between the home team, Gentlemen of Girne against guest team, Eastern Mediterranean University. Danish Afridi, the Captain of Gentlemen of Girne, repeated his tradition of winning the toss and invited EMU Captain, Sohail Khilji to bat first.
Once again the Gentlemen openers and top order failed to provide a good start, when it went 4 wickets down in just six overs with a total score of 20 runs. EMU looked in a very strong position at this time but Waqas Ahmed scored 12 runs, on the 5th wicket, and after that it was a match turning performance, by SajjadKamal who scored 32 runs with help of 4 sixes and 1 four and Ather Mir scored 46 runs with help of 6 sixes, and 2 fours. That gave great confidence to Gentlemen hitters Wajid with 14 and Ali not out on 13 runs and the Gentlemen were all out in 18 overs with total of 158 runs.
In reply to 158 runs, EMU didn’t make a very good start when EMU Majid Khan was caught behind on the beautiful out swing bowling delivery by Janwali Khan and EMU were in trouble. After that Sohail Khilji, Captain of EMU, came out to rescue his team, but the luck was not with EMU when Khilji gave a straight catch to Gentlemen’s Captain Danish Afridi in short cover, and EMU were now in bigger trouble. At this time Gentlemen’s Captain, Danish Afridi brought in his team magician Shahzad Malik, the left arm spin bowler who completely destroyed EMU and they were all out on 82 runs in 17 overs giving the Gentlemen a good come back win in the Creditwest Spring Cricket League 2017,
Next Sunday matches on the 14th of May, 09:00 am, Gentlemen of Girne and Ozankoy Cricket Team and at 13:00 pm the Lefkosa Legends vs Eastern Mediterranean University
For more information go to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Cricket Club Facebook page click here or Contact Chairman of TRNC Cricket Association Danish Afridi
Telephone: 0548 890 4835 or email danisheen2001@yahoo.com
Under glorious blue skies, what could be better than the sound of leather on willow at the picturesque grounds close to Bellapais!
The TRNC Spring 2017, Creditwest Cricket League has started officially. Two new teams, Ozanköy Cricket club and Lefkosa Legends, including the biggest rivals (5 times TRNC Creditwest Cricket Champions) the Gentleman of Girne, and Creditwest 2016 Spring League Champions, Eastern Mediterranean University, plus the passionate Near East University and some very talented Cricket engineers from the Middle East Technical University. Every team will play other teams and in total each team will play five matches.
There will be a Final between the top two teams. The winner of the Spring 2017 Creditwest League and the winner of the Autumn 2017 Creditwest Cricket League will play for the Creditwest TRNC Cricket champion trophy, and the winner will then qualify for Creditwest 2017 Cyprus Champions trophy.
The first match of Creditwest Spring 2017 Cricket League was played between Near East University vs Ozanköy Cricket Club and Ozanköy captain; Imran Bajwa won the toss and elected to bat. The new Ozanköy team, made a very grumpy start with 4 wickets for 65 in six overs. But it didn’t take long before Ozanköy was in big trouble, when NEU bowler Adeel struck 3 wickets for 18 runs, the only partnership from Ozanköy was Imran and Rashid and, with the help of both, Ozanköy was able to set 153 runs target in 20 overs.
In reply to 153 runs, NEU opener batsmen Adeel and Muneeb made a very solid start and played a remarkable innings with 65 runs not out, with the help of 4 fours and 3 sixes, and Adeel made 48 runs, with the help of 2 sixes and 2 fours, which sealed for the NEU a confirmed victory in the Creditwest Cricket league.
The next match was between Eastern Mediterranean University from Magusa and the Middle East Technical University from Guzelyurt, METU captain Muzammil won the toss and elected to field. EMU Captain Sohail Kilji and Majid Khan took a start, with a remarkable innings of 65 of Captain Sohail Khilji and contribution of Saad, EMU succeeded in setting a defendable target of 163 runs in 20 overs.
In reply to 163 runs, METU didn’t look confident at all, when METU lost 3 wickets for 35 runs. After that, the middle order Nabil and Mazz stood solid like a mountain against the EMU bowling attack, and the METU fought back and took the game away from EMU, when there were only 35 runs left in six overs for the METU to win their first match. But once again METU proved their batting as well as their strong bowling side and Khalid took 3 wickets in one over. Nahal was METU’s best bowler, and he took the most important wickets and helped METU to win their first Match against EMU in the Creditwest Spring 2017 Cricket League.
Sunday 9th of April 2017, 2nd week of the CreditWest Spring 2017 Cricket league, 1st match between Ozanköy Cricket Team vs Eastern Mediterranean University, Captain Sohail Khilji won the toss and decided to field first, Ozanköy went in to bat first. Fahad and Bilal, Ozanköy’s openers took a very confident start against EMU and attacked aggressively and they were successful to hit every bowler, at the end of 10 overs Ozanköy were 80 run with a loss of 4 wickets and after that couldn’t save the rest of their wickets, and Ozanköy only succeeded in making 136 runs in twenty overs.
In reply to 136 runs EMU made a very good start when they lost their only wicket in six overs, 36 runs. It was the only partnership from Majid Khan and Captain Sohail Khilji, after that none of EMU batsmen could stay in front of Ozanköy’s brilliant bowling performance and EMU lost their 2nd match in CreditWest Spring 2017 League.
The second match was played between Lefkosa Legends and Middle East Technical University, this time Muzammil won the toss and elected to field first. Legends looked to be in big trouble when they lost their opening batsman Salman for 2 and Saifullah for a duck, 6 overs and 33 runs with a loss of 3 wickets. Muhammad Idres 46 runs, and Abid 48 runs, made a very useful partnership for Legends and they were able to give 161 runs in 20 overs.
In reply to 161 runs, Middle East Technical University didn’t make a very good start by losing their first wicket on 9 runs. The only partnership was between Muzzzamil captain of METU 29 runs and one down Nabil 20 runs. But after that none of the METU guys could have stood against Lefkosa Legends and METU made only 140 runs in 20 overs. Lefkosa Legends captain Muhammad Haseeb was delighted to win their 2nd Match in the Creditwest 2017 spring cricket league.
The TRNC Cricket Association offer an opportunity, to support TRNC Cricket Association, by participating as umpires at adult games and full training will be provided Those local readers who are interested, should contact the Umpire Manager Phil Lucock on: 0533 863 8499
Next Sunday 30th of April, 09:00am, Lefkosa Legends vs Ozanköy Cricket Club and 13:00pm Gentlemen of Girne vs Middle East Technical University
For more information go to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Cricket Club Facebook page click here or Contact Chairman of TRNC Cricket Association Danish Afridi Telephone: 0548 890 4835 or email danisheen2001@yahoo.com
Sport news from Nigel Holman…….
Last Friday, at Creditwest’s Çatalköy branch, Figen Kaymak presented the Creditwest Autumn Cricket League winners trophies and medals to captain Danish Afridi and his team the Gentlemen of Girne. She said it was one of her and Creditwest staff’s favourite occasions when all the players come to the branch to celebrate their success.
Creditwest also confirmed their continuing sponsorship of both men’s and ladies TRNC cricket. President Nigel Holman said he was delighted they were keen to partner the sport, as their financial help is important to its ongoing development in North Cyprus.
The Creditwest TRNC Ladies Cricket team’s final match of the Autumn League was a damp affair in every sense. The weather reminded those who had played in England of a bitterly cold early April match, when everyone would be playing with frozen blue hands.
Wrapped up warm, stand-in TRNC captain Steph Routledge’s girls immediately set about the Limassol’s batting, with herself taking an early wicket when Lynn Holman snapped up a sharp catch behind. Supported by Val Clayton the North held the first batting pair to 13 runs. The next bowling combination was Linda Hurley who worked hard and debutant Lindsay Brown whom the Southerner’s found almost unplayable as she swung the ball both ways giving only 3 runs away. Finally Gina Mapp and Routledge attempted to contain the opposition but they conceded 16 runs between them bringing the total to 141.
Routledge said at the time, it was a gettable score, but admitted the bowling hadn’t sparkled as they would have liked. In reply, openers Lynda Hurley and Val Clayton immediately faced hostile Limassol bowling, but they dug deep and would have ended with a decent total had they not both been run out which is minus 10 runs in pairs cricket. Next the outstanding Brown and Routledge set about the opposition scoring 13 and 10 respectively. Finally Gina Mapp (10) and Lynn Holman (5) threw everything they had in their attempt to get the 18 needed for victory, but disappointingly fell 2 runs short.
Throughout the league, the Sri Lankan C.C had dominated, however for the second time in succession the TRNC got close to beating them. Pick of the bowlers Routledge and Brown restricted the sub-continent team to a modest 35 and made a win for the North a real possibility. With orders from coach Nigel Holman to carefully build a platform, Hurley and Clayton fought hard to resist Mali and Nilu, but they found scoring difficult. Second pair Routledge (5) and Brown (10) did their utmost to inject momentum, but left Holman (10) and Mapp (0) still needing 20 when they came to the crease. Despite it being demanding, they attacked from the off. Right until the last few balls, they were on target for a memorable victory, but once Mapp was bowled attempting a 4, the chance had gone.
Regardless of losing both games last Sunday the team were in high spirits. They knew they had played their hearts out and as coach Holman told them, the two games had been their best performances since they had begun playing. Their fielding was the most professional on show and the spring season was full of promise.
In the other game. The Sri Lankans had overcome Limassol by a large margin of 25 runs.
The final league table was:
Creditwest All Cyprus Ladies Cricket League
Team Played Won Points
Sri Lankans 6 6 12
Limassol 6 2 4
TRNC 6 1 2
Practice for the Spring League will start in March. Newcomers are very welcome, even if you haven’t played before. For more further information, please call Nigel Holman 0533 824 8999
