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The first ‘20 Over’ floodlit cricket tournament took place at the Campoamor ground on Saturday 6th November with four teams - Campoamor Cricket Club, Valencia Cricket Club, Sporting Alfas Cricket Club and The Intellectuals Cricket Club (Alicante) all doing battle to see who would become the first ‘Into Spanish Properties’ champions.

The day started well with the home side achieving two convincing victories in their games against SACC and the Intellectuals. In the game against Alfas, Campoamor gained their first ever victory against the Spanish League Champions. Having won the toss and elected to bat the Campoamor opening pair of Juan Rodriguez and Neil Brookes put on an opening partnership of 112 off just 11 overs. Neil was eventually bowled for 43 while Juan went on to score 61 before he was run out. Campoamor eventually went on to reach 185 for 5. Alfas gave a spirited reply and with the score on 174 for 8 they needed to score just 12 runs from the final over to win the match. Enter Campoamor skipper George Wambeek who bowled the final over for just 4 runs. Highlight of the Alfas innings was a superb 61 from teenager Jimmy Morgan.

The home side’s second game was a rather more one-sided affair. The Intellectuals won the toss and decided to bat, but were bowled out for just 80 runs.  Campoamor knocked off the runs needed for the loss of just two wickets with Juan Carlos on 30 and Neil Brookes 21. The day’s third game was a close match between Alfas and Valencia which saw Alfas (171 for 3) fall to Valencia (175 for 4) with one over to go.  With the light fading the final of the ‘Into Spanish Trophy’ got underway at about 7pm but with the lights on it was almost like playing in sunshine. Valencia won the toss and only managed the modest total of 137 all out in the 18th over. Unfortunately as Campoamor took the field to start their reply the heavens opened and after just one over, which was played in an absolute deluge, the game was sadly abandoned.

Campoamor Skipper George Wambeek informed the local press that he was confident of knocking off the runs required and thereby lift the Trophy. We all look forward to next year when hopefully the matter will be decided.

The day was followed by a dinner at the excellent club house (Campoamor Golf Club) and all involved in this event are to be congratulated for a very successful day.