Photo © ECC

A GCA Development XI combining experience and youth travelled to Tangier over the weekend of 21/22 September to play a couple of matches against the Royal Moroccan Cricket Federation. The matches were played at the magnificent, and relatively new, Stadium in Tangiers on grass wickets. Cricket is in its infancy in Morocco, though developing fast, and this was an opportunity for Gibraltar to assist in that process. The hosts' hospitality was superb throughout and it is hoped that the new contacts thus established will result in more ventures of this kind. Already there is talk of sending an U19 team in the not too distant future.

Photo © ECC

The first match was scheduled for the Saturday, and before the start the teams were lined up for the playing of the National Anthems. Gary Cozier, former Australian Test player and now in charge of the Moroccan team, won the toss and opted to bat first. It was a decision he was soon to regret as Steven Gonzalez, Chris Phillips and Karan Aswani ripped through the top order to send the locals reeling to 39/5 after fifteen overs. Cozier himself then came to the crease and managed to steady the boat with the assistance of Kishore, and a fifth wicket stand of 43 ensued. Cozier was then caught by Chris Watkins off the bowling of Paul Grant for 26 and there was little resistance to follow as the whole side was bundled out for 102 in 48 overs. For the GCA XI, Watkins wiped up the tail to return figures of 4/15, Aswani took 2/12, Phillips 2/20 and Gonzalez and Grant took one wicket apiece. Gary De'Ath remained wicket-less but only conceded four runs in his ten overs, eight of which were maidens! Christian Rocca and Mark Bacarese put the result beyond all doubt with an opening partnership of 49 in the opening fourteen overs. When the latter was adjudged leg before and Paul Buttigieg perished cheaply, the innings wobbled a little, but Rocca soldiered on to 38 before he, too, was given out leg before. By that time the total had progressed to 93 and it was left to Mohammed Usman and Steven Gonzalez to wrap things up with 24 overs to spare.

Photo © ECC

The Sunday match turned out to be a much closer contest as Morocco managed to put together a total of 157/8 in their allotted fifty overs, thanks in the main to an undefeated 49 from Cozier. Aswani again claimed two victims, as did Usman, but it was De'Ath who once again caught the eye, conceding just seven runs from his ten overs, six of which were maidens. Watkins and Phillips gave the GCA XI a steady start, putting on 44 in the opening twelve overs. The latter was then bowled, and Gonzalez helped Watkins take the total along to 73 before holing out to extra cover. There followed a disastrous spell as Watkins was adjudged leg before, Buttigieg ran himself out and Richard Buzaglo suffered the same fate as Watkins. When Rocca went the same way and Aswani was bowled, the total had slumped to 125/7 and there were some anxious faces in the Gibraltar camp. But De'Ath and Bacarese came to their side's rescue, gradually adding the required runs, victory coming in the 41st. over.

After the match, both teams lined up for speeches and presentations. The President of the Royal Moroccan Cricket Federation thanked Gibraltar for their visit which, he said, was greatly appreciated in Morocco, helping as it did to promote the sport in his country. GCA Chairman, Tom Finlayson, replied on behalf of Gibraltar, thanking the hosts for their wonderful hospitality, the ground staff for their hard work, the umpires and scorers, and all who had contributed to the week-end's success. He added that he hoped more Gibraltar sides would be making use of the wonderful facilities available in Tangier. Handsome trophies were then presented to the winners and runners-up, and Gary De'Ath was named Man of the Tournament, receiving a T-shirt for his efforts. All in all, then, a wonderful weekend's cricket for everyone involved.