Photo © ECC

This year Capannelle had a very busy season. The senior team finished 6th in Serie A, 3rd in the Coppa Italia, and 3rd in the 'Enjoy the Spirit of Cricket' tournament as well as touring England during the summer. In Serie A (the Italian first division Championship) Capannelle fielded a very young team (average age just 22) in order to give younger players a chance to gain experience. Well done to Nisal Jeewaka, very handy with both bat and ball. Rory McCann, who has been an outstanding batsman-keeper, has unfortunately gone back to Ireland for studies - hopefully the Irish U19 team will consider him for the World Cup! Meanwhile in the Coppa Italia (a tournament reserved only for Italian citizens) Capannelle won in the quarter finals against Roma CC and then lost by one run against Gallicano in the semi-finals. For the second consecutive year Capannelle organized an international tournament, named "Enjoy the Spirit of Cricket 2003". This year the teams who took part were Capannelle, Asian CC, Viterbo CC and Roman Srilankans. The Capannelle senior team also organised a tour in England based in Milton Keynes (north of London). It was their fifth English tour although the previous one was way back in 1997. The tour consisted of 4 games, but unfortunately 2 of them were rained off. In the first match Capannelle scored 280/6 off 40 overs. Again Nisal Jeewaka demonstrated his good form, scoring his highest score, 127.

Photo © ECC

The junior section competed in the Italian U21, U15 and U13 championships and toured London. In the Indoor U21 Championship, Capannelle finished third. Jayarajah was outstanding with the bat (average of 59) and Astrologo's fielding (six catches in 4 games!) was great. Capannelle won against Trentino and Pianoro in the qualifying series. For the second consecutive year Capannelle won the U15 Italian Championship, losing only two games out of 12. A great thanks to Todd McCann, whose batting average was 51 (including a great 108*). In the U13 Championship, the Capannelle team played very well, considering that the squad is very young and inexperienced. The team captained by Giorgio Scalco (who is becoming a very good bowler) finished 3rd, beating Smit CC, Grosseto CC and Pianoro CC. For their 5th consecutive London tour, Capannelle fielded an U16 team. Once again, the team played with local clubs such as Eascote CC, Teddington CC, Twickenham CC, Spencer CC, Carshalton CC and St. Martin's school. The young players also had the opportunity to practice with ECB Level III coach, Andrew Iga.

The club ended its season with the annual party in which the club president Mrs Franca Beranger, the senior captain FA Jayarajah, and the chairman of the USIP Andrea Novelli, made presentations to the U15s who had won the national championship. Trophies were also handed to the best bowler, batsman and fielder.

© ECC