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ISLEOFMANEXAMINER

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 www.iomtoday.co.im

FINALWHISTLE ​Strong performances from Isle of Man against touringMCC side

CRICKET by SimonCrellin

a 46-run partnership for the firstwicket. Although the Isle of Man team lost wickets, they were neveroffthepaceandeventu- ally eclipsed theMCC total in the 18thoverwiththreewick- ets to spare. Bostock again stood out for the tourists but this timewith the ball, claim- ingfivewickets for 27. In the MCC’s final match, they travelledback toKWC to face a youthful school first XI featuring only one sixth form playerinanotherunrestricted over format. The tourists batted first but excellent, accurate bowl- ing from the school team meant that the declaration - at 177 for four - came later in the day than they would have hoped.OpenerDavidGenttop scoredwith84,but thecollege captured fourMCCwickets. In their reply, Henry Tel- ford and Dollin Jansen pro- vided good resistance with a strongpartnershipforthesec- ondwicket but when the pair wereout, andwith20overs to go,KingWilliam’sCollegeshut up shop and dug in for a cred- ible draw. After the game, MCC cap- tainSimonPlevinpraised the standard of cricket that the tourists had encountered in theIsleofManandconfirmed that plans were already in place for a return visit next summer.

After abreak in2020, MaryleboneCricket Club continued theirnear60-year traditionof sendinga touring teamto the IsleofMan. The tourists played three matches, against an Isle of Man Cricket Association de- velopment XI and an IoMCA 1stXIbeforeendingtheir tour onFridaywithagameagainst KingWilliam’sCollege’s1stXI. LastWednesday’sopening gameagainstthedevelopment teamatKingWilliam’sCollege sawthemfacethechallengeof unrestricted overs and, after theMCChadwonthetossand electedtobat, theydeclaredat 197 for 4 from36 overs. Frazer Clarke delivered an excellent spell of 11 overs, picking up two wickets for 56, with under-13s player Ry- der Spencer also performing credibly with 1 for 15, but the MCC’s Richard Bostock, who hasplayedatNottinghamPre- mierLeaguesideCuckneyCC, dominated the innings with anunbeaten88. Inreply, the IsleofMangot off to an excellent start. Sam Barnett hit a blistering half- century from only 35 balls, supported by fellow opener Carl Hartmann. But when the latter fell

MaryleboneCricket Clubvisited the island lastweek toplay threematches against several local sides. TheMCC teamarepicturedaboveatKingWilliam’s Collegewith theirKWCfirst XI counterparts - the twosidesplayedout adraw

the pick of the bowlers with 2-20 and Tom Magsun top scoring for the tourists with a run a ball 44 Nathan Knights, with 31 from17balls,andAdamMcAu- ley got the island team’s reply off to an excellent start with

in a 20-over limited format game. The MCC won the toss and again elected to bat first. Averydisciplinedbowling displayfromall theIsleofMan 1st XI bowlers restricting the MCC to 119 for 5 in damp con- ditions, with Chris Langford

sidecaptainNathanWilliams worked very hard to restrict theMCC batters to an achiev- able total in a new format for the players. Thursday’s match saw the MCChead toCronkbourne to face the full Isle of Man team

with the score on 71, wick- ets tumbled rapidly and the young side were all out for 115, with Cillian McDonnell and Dom Smith picking up fourwicketseachfortheMCC. Despite the loss, the de- velopment XI bowlers along-

IsleofMan’sEddieBeard takes aimunder thewatchful eyesofMCCwicketkeeper LukeO’Connell during last Thurs- day’s exhibitionmatchat Cronkbourne. TheManxsidewonby threewickets DaveKnealeDK210909 (10)

MCCbowlerRexPurnell sends inadeliveryagainst the IsleofMan’sGeorgeBurrows (No.7) last Thursday. The latterhelpedhis side reached their target in 18overs toclaimvictory DK210909 (7)