Farmers fall to ‘Kings’

Farmers record now sits at one win and two losses following defeat to reigning Kings of Europe PAK I Care Badalona Picture: EUROPEAN CRICKET LEAGUE

FARMERS were unable to get back to winning ways after falling to the current ‘Kings of Europe’ PAK I Care Badelona.

The Islanders won their opening ECL Championship game against Beveren before falling to Sporting Alfas on the first day, before the well-rounded Catalan outfit showed their teeth on day two.

After winning the toss and electing to field, defending champions Badelona reduced the Jersey side to just 82, which they duly chased down with 14 balls to spare and nine wickets in hand.

Despite losing wickets early, Farmers showed real intent to keep the run-rate up.

Hard-hitting Danish loanee Nikolaj Laegsgaard fell first ball after his stumps were sent flying via an inside edge.

His departure left an opportunity for Joel Dudley and Patrick Gouge, with the former going deep for six twice before departing when seeking a third.

Gouge then found a pair of consecutive boundaries in the fourth before being baited into a short delivery and caught in the deep.

Next up was Laegsgaard’s cousin Oliver Hald, who looked shaky early, but managed to stick around.

The heavy-hitting Dane amassed 18 before edging through to Muhammad Ihsan.

Despite losing wickets, Farmers’ rate remained competitive but the defending champions began to show their class and set about slowing up the Islanders.

Stan Norman came and went for eight, before Rhys Palmer added six of his own from as many balls before being caught on the boundary looking long, which left Farmers on 72/6 from eight overs.

The defending champions sensed blood and some clever change of pace bowling left the Jersey side’s run-rate sliding the wrong way.

Jack De Gruchy was caught plumb and dismissed for just four as Chris Hopwood was unable to find a boundary either, as Farmers were held to just 82 from ten overs.

It was a start of mixed fortunes with the ball for Farmers, as Hald’s first delivery went for five wides before he dismissed Ihsan for a duck.

Extras would plague his side early, however, as they conceded ten of them in the opening over.

Laegsgaard kept things tight in the second over, giving up just two runs, but Hald was left increasingly frustrated, after a stellar delivery was edged past Perchard for four.

Despite the uphill battle, Farmers kept the Catalans honest with some tight bowling and work in the field.

However Daniel Doyle Calle bided his time before he took Palmer deep twice consecutively to ease the Badelona tension.

From six overs, his side needed just 25 from 24 balls and the only required ten more.

Doyle Calle finished on 38 from 21 balls, while strike partner Muhammed Kamran fired 36 from 24.

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