CL INDOOR LEAGUE: WEEK 6 ROUNDUP

The final week of league competition saw the IPPA Falcons take on Adamstown. The Falcons had already qualified for the final, but with a few new players for both teams Adamstown fancied their chances.

They had first chance to bat and started well with their first partnership putting on 11 in three overs. The Falcons bowling in the second set was very tight and the loss of three wickets in the 6th over saw Adamstown on 9 after two partnerships.

The next two partnerships were very productive, with 14 and 15 respectively. Adamstown would have been quietly happy with a score of 38 to defend.

Spirit of Cricket as the fielder helps the batter with a lose shoelace

The Falcons reply started confidently enough with singles and the odd boundary to add to a few extras. 20 off the first partnership was a solid base. The next set showed how one big over can make all the difference. A few extras, a few boundaries and some great tip and run saw the Falcons up to 51 after 6 overs and in charge of the game.

Adamstown came back strong in the next set though with only one wide and wicket from the three overs. With 47 on the board, could Adamstwon take the wickets they needed?

The Falcon last pair knew that dot balls were their friend and didn't take any chances at all. The 10th over was a maiden and the 11th had only a few wides. The last over from Adamstown was make or break and they just couldn't get past the Falcons defence. The final total was 55 and a great victory for the Falcons.

The second game between the Chancers and the Spartans would see the winners progress to the finals.

Chancers got first bat but the Spartans were up for the battle with some excellent bowling. Everything was tight on the stumps and in the blockhole and the Chancers couldn't get it away. The first three partnerships were all unsuccessful and heading into the last set the total was -6!

The Chancers would need a big partnership to set a defendable total and this they did. Some excellent running saw them score 10 and 6 off the 10th and 11th overs. They lost a wicket with the first ball of the 12th, but came back with two two's and two boundaries to end on a credible 19 runs.

The Spartans knew exactly what they needed to do and set a game plan to match that. They decided to go big in the first partnership to get ahead of the score and that's exactly what they managed to do. Good running, sensible batting and taking advantage of loose deliveries gave them 24 runs off the first three overs, remarkably without a boundary.

After that it was about defence and consolidation, with no chances to be taken. Despite some excellent Chancers bowling they just couldn't get through and the next two partnerships scored 4 runs each, leaving the Spartans on 32 with three overs left.

The 10th over was a maiden, no chances taken or given. There was two wides and a two off the 11th, leaving them on 36 and the Chancers had it all to do.

The wickets they needed just wouldn't come and the Spartans finished on 39 and qualified for the Final.

That final is IPPA Falcons vs Indigo Spartans and takes place at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday March 2nd in the North County Indoor Hall. The Final will be followed by the presentation of the Trophy and Medals by CL President Siobhan McBennett.