The Holy Year of Roman sports which has seen the national titles of soccer(Lazio), rugby (RDS Roma) and volleyball (Piaggio Roma) already land in the eternal city was completed yesterday when Capannelle conquered the cricket pennant, EIS Cup, beating Trentino, unquestionably the surprise team of the year, 2-0 at the end of the best of three final.

Yes, you have read it correctly: the abandonment of game 2 because of rain meant that three games took place, at least partially, but only two were completed with the team from the hippodrome registering a fully deserved cleansweep to record its fourth championship, thus ending a nine year drought.

Game 1 was unquestionably the pick of the series. Both teams fielded there best possible sides. Capannelle flew in from London the former Wellington all rounder Phil Chandler in addition to countryman Michael Deane, unquestionably the player of the season. Trentino added to the Grugliasco ice cream man, Aamir Shah, the one and only Benito Giordano, who had not played for them since 1997.

Trentino batted first and thanks to former under 19 national captain Chandana Dias (35) were well placed at 55/1 after 9 overs. This quickly became 58/3 after 11 which led to a long reconstructive partnership between Bateman (55) and Giordano (28) that took Trentino to 140/3 in the 37th over. Another collapse caused by Deane (5/30) meant that the team from the Dolomites found itself 148/7 at the end ofthe 41st over. Kamal Kariawasam, Trentino and Italy's skipper, and Michael Arnold, Sri Lankan international Russell's older brother, with 19 a piece ensured the innings did not loose momentum as it lasted the distance, the last wicket falling off the last ball with the score 189.

Capannelle's reply, mainly thanks to some unwatchable fielding by the guests, started at a gallop with Deane (61) and Zito (21) putting on 95 runs in 12 overs. From this the home side did its utmost, nearly succeeding to lose the match. At 140/5 in the 32nd over the game was again on and it was only thanks to a patient innings from Mehmood (45 not out) that Capannelle got home by three wickets in the end.

Up to Trento for game 2 in what turned out to be the wettest weekend of the year. Yet despite 48 hours of incessant rain, the two sides gave it their best and went out on the field for three hours in which Trentino collected 192/7 off 42 overs, Arif top scoring with 54. Theoretically, an intriguingly poised situation; realistically, however, as soon as the rain started again, both sides were happy to come off.

So it was all down to game 3 with Capannelle knowing that a tie or a no result or even a defeat by a smaller margin than their victory in the series opener would give them the EIS Cup. With even a bowl out as a possibility, the game thankfuly gave Italian cricket a clearcut champion. Capannelle, for once batting first, started as usual well. Deane (73) scored freely in the gaps in front of the wicket and, once he was out, a solid platform had been built. At 133/3 in the 30th over a big score looked probable before lightning struck under the shape of Arif who dismissing Chandler and Mehmood off consecutive balls caused a collapse. When Bonapace was caught by Bateman for 29 at 150/6 in the 36th over Capannelle's tail was fully exposed. It was up to Weerasinghe (40) to shepard the rest of the innings which terminated off the penultimate ball with the score on 205.

Trentino, knowing they could loose not more than six wickets if they wanted to become champions, started disastrously, 4/2 after 2 overs, and did not improve at all as the innings progressed, 20/4 after 12. Bateman (23) and skipper Kariyawasam (30) restored some dignity but the outcome was never in doubt. When at 17.04 Michael Deane, quite appropriately, ended Kamal's long vigil by bowling him through the gate, at 80/7 Capannelle had reconquered the title that had eluded them for so long. Michael Arnold (35) took advantage of some friendly bowling by the occasionals taking Trentino to 138 and allowing the game to register a final 67 run margin which is not as wide as the gap between the two sides on the field.

It was a very emotional moment for Capannelle's skiper Alphonso Jayarajah, the man who more than anyone else introduced cricket to Italy in the seventies. At 53, like his cricketing twin Massimo Da Costa, he lifted the trophy after what must have looked like an endless nine year wait. Only two others survived the drought, all rounder Peter Bonapace (38) and wicket keeper Alberto Bet (37). Not a young side Capannelle but, all the same, definitely one not short of enthusiasm.

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