The league draws to a temporary close as Cyprus cricket concentrates on preparing the national team for the championships in September.

There remain 7 games still to be played of the 45 scheduled games. Currently WSBA sits on the top of the table with Amdocs close behind, followed by Moufflons but all must be aware of the threat posed by Srilankan CC, Fellows and Taj Pavilion who all have games in hand and who sit within easy reach of the leaders. The games between these three clubs scheduled in September should decide who finally holds up the trophy.

This has been an exceptional season. With 7 centuries, more than twice the total for any previous season, and 9 five wicket hauls, the standard of play seems to be improving as new players are drawn into the league as new teams enrol.

Keep watching. The showdown in September will be interesting.

FELLOWS v AYNIC

On the hottest day of the year the intrepid and determined league players choose to stand and fry in a middle of a field rather than curled inside next to an air conditioner. Such is the madness of cricketers and the draw of the cricket league as teams battle for the most open championship in years.

Fellows were put into field with only seven players as one car had gone to the wrong ground. With virtually an open field before them Aynics opening bats made hay, putting fifty on the board before eight overs were over. Whitcomb making a quick 49.

Aynic openers make hay

When the four lost brothers took their place in the field, however, scoring was much more difficult and the run rate plummeted.

Kashif, coming on to bowl first change, turned the game around completely. With five wickets, three from his lethal slower delivery, the Aynic middle and lower order crumbled. All out for 145 Aynic must have felt a little disappointed after their devastating start, but with figures of 5 for 18, Kashif and Fellows deserved their reprieve.

Kashif drags the game back for Fellows

A lively opening ten overs, with Gill scoring a quick 36, put Fellows in the driving seat. Then a wobble, as the Taverners took 4 quick wickets, put the game up for grabs again but a steadying partnership from Mike (30 no) and Matti put the game beyond doubt. Fellows passed the Aynic score in the 21^st over with the loss of 6 wickets..

Aynic 145 ao (6 points)

Fellows 146-6 (20 points)

WSBA v MOUFFLONS

WSBA hosted Moufflons at Akrotiri Cricket Ground on one of the hottest day of summer when temperatures were recorded as high as 42 degrees during the day.

Moufflons after winning the toss decided to bat first and got a good start from openers Sakhawat Rubel & Alamgir Hossein. Rubel after playing a cautious knock of 16 runs was the first to go, followed by Muhammad (16) and then by Alamgir (22). Moufflons reached drinks with score at 70 runs for the loss of 3 wickets.

With the top order gone, it was left to the old war horse Peter Bond and sturdy Alan Broadbent to rescue the Moufflons. The two heroes kept WSBA bowlers at bay for more than 20 overs and took the score past 150 runs mark, when a drained Alan Broadbent got out after contributing valuable 42 runs.

Peter Bond carried his bat till the end of the innings and came out unbeaten with his seasonπs best knock of 43 runs and helped Moufflons post a challenging total of 187 runs in allotted 40 overs for the loss of 5 wickets.

WSBA despite losing an early wicket looked confident in the run chase. The second wicket partnership took the score past 50 runs mark and at drinks WSBA looked well in control of the game with score at 71 runs for the loss of two wickets. Soon, after the drinks Muhammad struck for Moufflons to remove a well settled Nouman, however, WSBA captain Marcus Holden promoted himself up the order to keep the run rate in control, in what turned out to be a match winning innings by the WSBA skipper.

Marcus half centurian for WSBA

Marcus along with Andy Mulkern took the score to 160 runs in 30 overs and sealed Moufflons fate with a composed knock of 55 runs. WSBA needed only 27 runs in the last 10 overs with 5 wickets in hand when debutant Siddique got rid of Marcus. A mini collapse made the finish exciting, however, John Riddell kept his cool to steer WSBA home in the penultimate over with 2 wickets in hand.

Match was played in good spirits and was umpired well by Philip Bell and Geoff Hulme.

WSBA 188-8 (20 points)

Mouflfons 187-5 in 40 overs (14 points)