LCFC Secure Clausura for Second year running

Sunday 10^th April saw Lima Cricket retain the Clausura tournament for the second year running. After having a somewhat disappointing opening half of the seasons when the batting guns had refused to fire, this was certainly not the case in the clausura.

In the first game LCFC managed to post 130 odd thanks to Tony Sanford hitting his maiden fifty against Eids who was ably assisted by Seb Navarro, who was finally getting some time out in the middle, largely due to circumspect batting and running between the wickets at the top of the order. In reply Eids were pretty much done in by not really having enough players availbale and were bowled out for 70 odd with Walter pitching in with 3 for 15 and miserly bowling from Grandjean and Sanford.

The second game can really be defined by one innings, Louis Grandjean hit 112 from not many balls to secure a scoreline of 204 to ensure that the Kiteflyers would not be able to repeat the painful defeat they had inflicted on LCFC earlier in the season. What was more remarkable about this is that at the 13^th Wicket the score was only 60 odd for 1. Ed Baxter was hit for 31 in one over, including 5 sixes. Nick Myers watched amiably on (44 not out) as Louis crashed 13 sixes aound the ground almost managing to land the ball in all the tennis courts. This is his personal goal for next season he says. In reply Flyers managed to reach 150 with E Baxter hitting a half century to make up for his bowling figures in LCFC’s Batting (UNPRINTABLE). Again the bowling was tight by LCFC and with regular wickets the unlikely scoreline was calmly defended. The Guns of Lima Cricket had really fired this time.

So last Sunday saw LCFC having to win the game outright against Chak De as Flyers had defeated Eids by nearly 100 runs due mainly again to Eids having squad selection availability problems this year. Barsby outhit Grandjean with a score of 120 with the flyers putting on another double tonne score. LCFC Skipper Walter sent an email out to all and sundry to make sure they voted early and be at the game on time (The skipper himself was nearly ordered to remain at the voting booth to assist but was able to run away crying "I have a cricket match to Captain!", Surprisingly this fell on deaf ears here in Lima.). With a full squad and welcoming Mike Soulsby back from his beach sojourn on the Riviera they call Asia here and also Jorge Pancorvo our redoubtable keeper who had been on wedding mission in the States LCFC were looking up for the fight. On losing the toss LCFC were put into the field and were up against it fairly quickly with a steady six an over being hit by the confident Chak De with Kash putting up the greatest fight. But LGJ quickly put a stop to that and the wickets began to tumble. Walter came on and bowled his miasmic nonsense and during his spell four wickets fell, which allowed the LCFC to feel confident about chasing the target of a gettable 124. Gordon Hodgson and Desmond Soulsby went out to sort. Gordon was soon gone holing out to Kash at Long off and LGJ was soon LBW to VV. But the resolute Soulsby (50odd not out) steadied the ship with Myers until another blip at the end of the innings and with 30 left to hit he and the skipper saw the team home with 4 balls to spare.

No doubt LCFC will be plundered by other teams this year with players being tapped up by unmentionable teams....