Mal Legget bowls M.C.C. to victory

Marcham C. C. from Oxfordshire are the latest visitors to the Mallorca Cricket Ground. They played their first of three matches on Wednesday afternoon, in glorious conditions. The Mallorca Cricket Club batted first, openers Eric George and Ralph Maiden put on a solid 49 before Maiden was dismissed for 19. George was looking good on 36 when Wightman claimed him as his first victim. Thanks to an unbeaten stand of 53 between Billy Morris and Kiwi Paul Frazer, the M.C.C. finished on 199 for 5 off the allotted 40 overs. Wightman was Marcham's most successful bowler with 2 for 16 from his 8 overs. Marcham's opening batsmen, brothers Trevor and Graham Hill struggled to score against Mallorca's opening pair, Bodsworth and Morris. James Bodsworth turned in one of his finest performances, and was virtually unplayable, he finished with the impressive figures of 8 overs, 3 maidens 1 wicket for just 9 runs. Morris baffled the opposition with his somewhat eccentric style, giving the ball so much air that icicles were evident as the ball once more came into view! At 29 for 2 after 12 overs Marcham were finding the going tough, however Tristan Barratt and Simon Hill, 50 and 41 respectively, looked like pulling Marcham out of the mire with some superb batting. Mallorca's Shafeek broke the Barratt–Hill partnership, a 74 run stand, when he dismissed Barratt. Malcolm Leggett then claimed Hill, who reached his half century and was looking confident. Veteran Leggett swung the match taking 3 wickets for 21 runs in just 3 overs, and showing that he can still impress in the field with a couple of acrobatic catches! Marcham finished 16 runs short of their target in an exciting finish. A fine win for the local side on a perfect sunny day, which was the only consolation for the tourists! The two teams meet again on Saturday and Sunday, the wickets pitch at 1.00pm. Everyone is welcome, entry is free, and excellent cricket is guaranteed. There is a clubhouse where teas, and refreshments are served.