November 2007 - Ibiza win one and lose one at the home of the National Champions

Ibiza's weekend trip to play Sporting Alfaz on the outskirts of Benidorm was an up and down affair. Saturday's match against the 1st XI, Spanish Champions was always going to be difficult but with Alfaz scoring 320 off 40 overs and Ibiza being 12 for 4 off 7 overs, it could have been a complete disaster. However Ibiza's middle order, namely Stuart Browne, Martin Cooper, Jim Harvey and Martin Makepeace, managed to get some valuable time in the middle and contributed significantly to take the score up to the 160 mark, so instead of spiralling into depression Ibiza took some positives out of the game. Eventually losing by 150 odd runs was no disgrace against an excellent side and Ibiza, somewhat strangely, came away from the game feeling quite upbeat.

Sunday's game against the 2nd XI was totally different with Alfaz fielding an emerging side boasting several of Spain's top youngsters. Alfaz scored well but too slowly and Ibiza's bowling and fielding was right on the money, as it has been all season, to restrict them to 161 from their 40 overs. Ibiza achieved the target in the 38th over with 3 wickets to spare. It was a great team effort with Robin Parmenter and Martin Cooper being the standouts with a 60 run partnership to take the team to within touching distance, two cover drive boundaries by Martin Cooper at the business end of the innings will be remembered for many years to come.

Any victory over a Sporting Alfaz team has to be earned, and this performance capped an excellent season for Ibiza Cricket Club on the pitch - winning 8 matches and losing only 6 and also bringing home the Balearic Cup for the first time in 17 years. Many thanks to all who have played, supported and helped over the last season. Ibiza Cricket Club goes into 2008 with confidence.