U15 International Friendship Tournament in Rome
On the 28th and the 29th of October the fourth annual "International friendship tournament" hosted by Capannelle C. C. took place in Rome. This year the festival has been organised at an Under 15 level with four 11-a-side teams: the U12 Mid Glamorgan welsh squad, Carshalton C.C. coming from London, Smit and obviously Capannelle.
The abroad teams flew in on Friday bringing with them a large party of parents and supporters who, despite the desire to visit the city of Rome, came to watch all the games.
The matches started in the early morning and the weather gifted us of a bright, warm and cloud-free weekend. All the teams played against one another, competing with great enthusiasm.
Saturday night the teams celebrated together with a dinner during which speeches were made by the organisers and the teams representatives, club souvenirs were exchanged and obviously many photos taken.
On Monday morning the teams attended a special meeting: they have been received in the Capitoline Hill (seat of Rome's city government) by the Head of Youth Department Mr. Touadi and Mr. Foschi, on behalf of the mayor of the Rome and the city government, who expressed their interest and satisfaction for the tournament stressing on the importance of sport as a social and cultural connector. The boys and their parents have also been allowed to visit the building and admire the ancient ruins, which are usually closed to the public.
In all, the International Friendship tournament has been a great success and satisfaction. The boys have enjoyed themselves both on the ground and out and have proved a very high standard of cricket together with an extraordinary sense of fairplay. Many thanks to the Capannelle organisers: president Mrs. Franca Beranger, Mr. Francis Alphonsus Jayarajah, Mr. John Garforth and Leandro M. Jayarajah, who made the event possible; to the team managers: Mrs. Margaret Harding Mr. , and Mr. Andy Iga; to all the people who helped acting as umpires and scorers; and finally many thanks to all the parents who have been extremely interested in the boys' activities and contributed to create a warm environment.
Matches' reviews
Carshalton vs Mid Glamorgan
98/4 ? 64/6
The tournament started with the first encounter between Carshalton and Mid Glamorgan. The Carshalton skipper Ammandeep won the toss, decided to bat and thanks to his contribution of 25* aided by Miles (21) managed to reach the good total of 98.
In reply Glamorgan mainly thanks to S .Cox(25*) managed to reach 64. Most of the damage was done by Miles with his 4 wickets.
Capannelle. vs Mid Glamorgan
79/5 76/8
The first game between a Welsh club and an Italian one ended in a nail biting match. Capannelle's skipper Pecorari Edoardo won the toss and chose to bat. After a small collapse (3/11 after 3 overs) thanks to Giani and Merlo (both retired on 25) the Roman team managed to get 79 runs from their 15 overs. J. Edwards was Mid Glamorgan strike bowler, finishing with 2-10.
Mid Glamorgan's reply started off well with J. Williams (14) and S.Cox (14). But with two overs to go and still 20 runs to be made Soanes (13 runs off 15 balls) couldn't quite make it home ending with 3 runs short.
Carshalton vs Smit
119/5 50/10
Carshalton won the toss and decided to bat, totalling 119 runs thanks to contributions from Cook (25 retired), Wright (16) and Russel (15). Smit's best bowler was captain Barca (2/6).
The second innings lasted short, Smit, managed only 50 runs, with only Barca (13) reaching double figures. Russel (3/2) and Miles (4/5) did the damage for the London club.
Capannelle vs Carshalton
70/8 74/4
This game with both teams on 4 points, became "la Grand Final". Pecorari sent in the opposition once again and his team managed to contain the runs to 70 thanks with superb bowling by Markanday (2/8) and Sarnelli (2/8). A. Dhillon (15*) Carshalton's skipper together with T. Foster (19) recovered from 26/4 to 60. Capannelle's reply started off with a flyer (54/0 after 8) thanks to a healthy knock by both opening batsmen (both retired on 25), but A. Dillon with his 3/7 brought the game to the final over, with the opposition skipper hitting the winning four runs off the first ball of the over.
Smit vs Mid Glamorgan
113/1 37/10
More of a one-sided match, Mid Glamorgan batting first reached the big total of 113 thanks to G. Lawler, J. Soanes, J. Edwards (all three retired on 25) The only wicket for Smit came off J. Fort thanks to a stunning one-handed dive by the team's skipper N. Barca.
Smit's reply brought only 35 runs in their 13 overs. Most of the damage was made by R. Bell ending with personal best figures of 5/5.
Smit vs Capannelle
125/3 - 72
The last game of the tournament ended in a comprehensive win for Capannelle. Winning the toss and electing to bat E. Pecorari (25*) and R. Heymell (25*) started of well. Good contributions by Merlo and Markanday. Smit's reply was lead by J. Fort (21), J. Peret (18) and E. Ialongo (15). Capannelle's Sarnelli got 4 wickets.