Switzerland: It's the race for the finals

This edition's letter must start off with a humble apology, especially to all those in the Swiss team who were involved in the first actual win over France. In my second missive from this alpine country I wrote that Switzerland had beaten France for the first time last year in a memorable victory.

The victory was memorable but not the first. Being slightly newer to the game here in the land of cuckoo clocks and chocolate than some of my fellow players I did not recall a previous victory.

It was in fact way back in the previous century, the nineteen nineties to be precise. The exact date has been lost in the mists of time - (actually I have lost my notes on the dates to be honest), but a brave and courageous Swiss team put the French to the sword.

One of the players involved in the game pointed this out to me, at great cost to himself I should add, as his personal batting performance was nothing to shout home about. But he insisted the truth must out, so in difference to his desire and his no doubt unlucky misfortune, his name shall remain nameless.

Other international news is that the Swiss team for the ECC Trophy between 11th. and 19th August is being put together. The team has a chance to do better than its third equal placing of the 1999 tournament. I will have more news in next months letter about the team and results.

With this in mind, thanks must go to Martelli travel agency in Cossonay, BTL printing and World Radio Geneva both in Geneva, for sponsoring the team. For emerging countries sponsorship is a necessary and serious business, as without it expenses would restrict tournament participation and therefore the development of the game, especially at the junior levels.

So if there is anyone out there who would like to help the team out, get in contact with me and I will put you in touch with the people concerned.

The new ground at Cossonay, which will be where future internationals will be played, is coming along. The latest news is that the Commune, that's the town council, have been given the green light by the engineers to fill in a rather large hole on the edge of the outfield.

The pitch is situated in and old gravel quarry, and the aquifer below the ground surface is the water source and reservoir for the town's water supply. The hole gives direct access to the aquifer, so the problem now is to fill it in with the correct material and the cost! - Another plea for money!

Now on to the home league front; in the eastern division although its mathematically possible for all the teams to still qualify for the semi-finals, it realistically only a three horse-race.

Winterthur beat the league leaders United to put their attempt to defend their title back on track after a shock defeat to bottom of the table Royal Lankans.

The Nomads did not show to their match with United, so United gained maximum points without a ball being bowled.

This now means that the teams in with a chance for the two qualifying playoff spots are Classic, United and Winterthur.

In the Western division it is all about who is going to get home advantage for the semis and who is going to get the wooden spoon.

Cossonay blew a chance to turn the table on its head by loosing to Geneva when they had their weakened adversaries at 30 for 2 and let a chance go begging. That old saying coming true "drop catches, loose matches".

So now the match between Bern and Geneva will decide the winner of this group, last years title runners-up Bern have home advantage. This could change though if the first fixture, which was rained off between the two clubs, can be re-scheduled.

At the other end of the table the home and away fixtures between Cossonay and CERN will decided the receivers of the wooden spoon.

Finally ... swallow, swallow, gulp, gulp ... congratulations to the Wallabies!