M.C.C. versus Genoa CC - T20

Although it wasn't a perfect start to the day for some, everyone was ready for our first game on Sunday 23rd.
However, within minutes of our departure time, it started raining and continued raining for some time after we got to the Genoa CFC junior stadium. It gave both teams time for a warm up.
The rain stopped and and the game started. M.C.C.won the toss and Genoa batted first. With 8 runs off George's first over it looked like a big score was on, but with Woodsy bowling the second over wickets started falling, and Genoa had difficulty scoring from that end. Most bowlers chipped in with wickets, Woodsy ending up with 4 for very few. Samir managed a good return catch, with both ball and mud flying his way. Nick Fielden was brought on to bowl at the Mountain End and started with a wicket maiden. To the surprise of many in the crowd Kevin Barrett (bowler's name?) was handed the ball at the City End and immediately took the pitch out of the equation and challenged both the batsmen and the arms of the home umpire.
Genoa made 69 all out and that was a pretty respectable score given the rain.
The Genoa bowling was accurate and effective, giving the Club batsmen little to score off in the opening overs, but they quickly got used to the conditions and were able to knock off the runs with some overs to spare.

Other highlights included the largest crowd ever gathered in Genoa for a cricket match, a truly wonderful tea which would have graced any cricket club in the UK, and some pretty impressive opera beamed over the ground from the nearby festival.
Awards were given and medals handed out, and we went back to the Octoberfest in the city.
The fines system was in operation and a good time was had by all.
The celebration dinner was at the Marechiaro restaurant at Boccadasse, where the staff made us feel very welcome, gave us good food at a very good price.

A very fine day. We are going to miss Genoa when we go.

Finally, our thanks go to Simone Gambino, Mark Embury, Paolo Marini, Claudio de Martini, James Reynolds and many others for their generous hospitality, and for the very warm welcome we received in this historic and charming city.

Evening at the aquarium

The first evening was a bash at the Genoa aquarium, with a reception and tour followed by dinner beside the shark tank. We ate fish as the fish swam by thinking about eating us.
Speeches were made and commemorative plaques were exchanged, and a much used bat was presented from our Italian hosts, with the direction that it was to be placed in the MCC museum as soon as we got home.
We shared the dinner with the Italian players to feature in the first game and also some lady players who received awards at the dinner.

Day 1

The tour started with a very early morning meet up at Gatwick, but after coffee, breakfast and re tying of bow ties we were all ready to think of champagne and discuss which players were going to be in the outfield and which in the slip cordon.
A quick flight and a bus ride through the labyrinthine Genoa road system and we were there.
Being decisive people we walked straight out of the hotel and stopped at the first square and the first bar we found.
It seems we are going to be discussed on TV tonight and are going to a charity fund raising event.