Cricket Belgium

ALL STARS v INVITATION XI

The final day’s play saw a fantastic display of cricket from both teams, with only one run separating them.  The All Stars, consisting of the best players in the tournament against an Invitation XI captained by Patrick Demaerschalk.

The Invitation XI won the toss and elected to field first.  The opening batsmen, S. Frohnmayer and M. Brauser, got the All Stars off to a very good start with an excellent partnership of 43, before S. Frohnmayer was run out for 15.  C. Baloch arriving at the wicket then continued to push the runs along with a partnership of 11, before M. Brauser was caught by A. Grieves off L. Van Lint’s bowling for 3.  Another excellent partnership was forming between S. Luikinga and C. Baloch (25), only to be stopped once again by A. Grieves taking another good catch off the bowling of J. Langer.   In the 15^th over the ladies were 79 for 3 and needed to increase the run-rate to allow them any chance of winning.  Poppy McGeown (10 not out) took the crease after S. Luikinga (7) was caught by J. Langer off the bowling of A. Devoldere.   I. Van der Elst came in hoping to hit quick runs, but was brilliantly caught by Clement. McGeown, with a high one handed catch.  The ladies had set the Invitation XI a reasonable target to chase with a final score of 101 for 7 (Invitation XI - extras 50).

The Invitation XI started off well, with P. Demaerschalk and A. Devoldere  opening, the first wicket of A. Devoldere fell at 24 in the 6th over.  The run-rate at this stage was level with the ladies, but the ladies bowled brilliantly with the next 3 wickets falling for only 13 runs.   P.   Demaerschalk retired at 25 with the Invitation XI on 68, but another brilliant spell of bowling by the ladies saw 4 wickets fall for only 4 extra runs being added to the scoreboard (notably a brilliant overhead caught by C. Baloch, bowled by B. Hotea).  Things were getting very exciting and nerves, in the field and amongst the spectators, were showing the strain.  H. H. Mai batted extremely well, and had to retire at 25, putting P. Demaeschalk (30) back at the crease, but only scored an extra 1 run before being caught by S. Mix off the bowling of C. Baloch.  This meant that H.H. Mai was able to come back on to try and finish the match off ending up with 31 N.O,  Unfortunately the Invitation XI fell short by 1 run, final score of 100 for 9 (All Stars - extras 25) giving the All Stars a victory.

All Stars (Batting order)

1. S. Forhnmayer                  (15)
2. M. Brauber                        (3)
3. C. Baloch                             (11)
4. S. Luikinga                          (7)
5. Poppy McGeown           (10 n.o)
6. I. Van der Elst                   (0)
7. B. Hotea                             (3)
8. M. Loveday                       (1)
9. S. Van der Harten           (1 n.o)
10. S. Mix                                  Dnb
11. F. Moore                            Dnb
12. D. Moore                          

Bowling figures – Invitation XI:

1. A. Grieve 0-4/3 (1 maiden over)
2. H. Mai 0-19/3
3. J. Langer 1-23/4
4. N. Tihanye 0-18/4
5. L. Van Lint 1-18/3
6. A. DeVoldere 0-18/3

Invitation XI (Batting order)

1. P. DeMaeschalk                                              (30)
2. A. DeVoldere                                   (3)
3. Clement McGeown                       (6)
4. A. Grieve                                           (1)
5. Paul McGeown                                               (1)
6. H. H. Mai                                            (31 n.o)
7. L. Van Lint                                          (0)
8. J. Langer                                             (0)
9. N. Tihangi                                          (0)
10. J. Van Assche                                   (0)
11. S. Oktem-DeMaerschalk             (3)

Bowling figures – All Stars:

1. F. Moore 0-13/2
2. S. Mix 0-4/2
3. Poppy McGeown 1-18/4
4. M. Brauser 1-12/3
5. C. Baloch 3-14
6. B. Hotea 2-21/4
7. S. Frognmayer 2-11/2

After an excellent and very exciting match, the award ceremony saw the best players being rewarded for their efforts, selections made by the match umpires Richard Eames and Peter De Boeck, based on score sheets statistics.

Awards

Winners Trophy and Gold Medals
Germany

Runners up and silver medals
Hungary

Equal 3^rd and bronze medals
Belgium and Netherlands XI

Best Player of the Tournament
Maura Breuer

Best Batsmen
Poppy McGeown

Best Bowler
Brigi Hotea

Best Fielder
Jenny Langer

Best Keeper
Monika Loveday

Most promising player
Francesca Moore

Thanks go to everyone who has helped with the organisation, especially Sue Moore, Patrick DeMaerschalk and Sevil Oktem-DeMaerschalk, families who have helped host the players, the tournament umpires, scorers and the players themselves for showing exceptional cricket throughout the 5 days.  Especially to Ingrid Van der Elst for her wonderful match reports and staying up late after the Saturday night party to finish off that days’ report with Sue.