Saturday Cup Quarter Final - 17th February 2001

Tartars v. CCC at Mission Road
Result: Tartars won by 78 runs

No report received.

At Mission Road (played 17.2.2001): ÊTartars 258-2 (B Gohel 69, A Correa 36, A Nainani 73*, T R Kalyaraman 65*) beat CCC 180-9 (M Eames 101; A Ahmed 5-33) by 78 runs

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Saturday Cup First Round - 17th February 2001

Crusaders v. Witherers at KCC
Result: Crusaders lost by 52 runs

No report received.

At KCC (played 17.2.2001): Witherers 220-7 (D Dellor 79, M Hall 43; G Bousfield 3-36) beat Crusaders 168 (G Jardine 49*; P McDuell 3-38) by 52 runs

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Saturday Cup First Round - 10th February 2001

Tartars v. Lamma at KCC
Result: Tartars won by 88 runs

No report received.

At KCC (played 10.2.2001): Tartars 283-7 (A Correa 35, A Nainani 68, F Khan 35*; B Hussain 3-16) beat Lamma 195 (M Burns 52, B Hussain 53; F Saeed 5-50) by 88 runs

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Saracens v. HKU at Sandy Bay
Result: Saracens won by 3 wickets

The University Hit.

Retired bagman Charlie Obrano was quietly reading when the telephone rang. It was Big Pussy Vacchetti. Charlie had retired from his life of crime with the notorious Kowloon side wise guys the Saracenis. "One more job Charlie. We're hitting the University on Saturday and we need you to come along for the job," said Big Pussy. "What about your brother Old Pussy and your nephew Young Pussy,' pleaded Charlie. "Old Pussy's done his back in a bathhouse and the youngster's in juvenile court on Saturday afternoon. I'm afraid you have to come along for the hit. Get your equipment out and dust it off," came the mirthless reply. Charlie shook his head and the thought went through his head, "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

Budgie Shroffini rings up Charlie "I've boosted the wheels and I'm taking you through the tunnel. We won't be alone so don't throw someone out of the moving car if you're in a bad mood like you did last time to Wideboy Jammy. His scars have never healed." "Bring money." Was Charlie's familiar retort.

The crew assembles at the University. The Captain Rav "Sugar" Nani, Ray Grumpini, Rob "Buffalo" Mozzarella, Robbie "The Keeper" Guilliani, Big Paulie Creselli, Little Steve Wilson, The Cat Kirpalani, VJ, "Sticky Fingers" Somano, Charlie, Budgie and Big Pussy.

The University crew arrives and seems to have a lot of Indian exchange students. "We're Yo Friends they say. "But not for long, "growls Big Pussy. The rumble begins.

The Saracenis go straight for them hoping to take them all out clean and early but their veteran hit man Martin Sabatini resists strongly. "Sugar" is looking for bounce and he certainly gets it as the ball bounces off the bat, out of his hands and later off his stumps. But Big Paulie is steady and Buffalo equally so. Then Charlie is brought into the attack and creates a chance for VJ to give the first of many impressions of slapping the ball. Charlie finding it difficult to run in the sand is carted all over the place by the percentage player Sabatini. 100% crap bowling are numbers he can read.

Then the dark foreboding figure of Grumpini comes to the crease and even his own players cringe at the sight and a cold shudder goes down their backs. He starts wheeling away and the Uni guys start to succumb. Big Paulie comes back and starts to clean up. Sticky Fingers Somano continues his juggling act. The Cat swoops and takes one out. Last two overs are very bloody and the Saracenis take too many hits. Sugar is creamed and Grumps is edged all over the place and 39 extra hits. Could 218 be a fatal score?

Grumps and Budgie start off like a runaway train by way of a change rather than like Thomas the Tank Engine. The Uni boys smacked all over the place. But then the legendary Budgie temper gets the better of him and he takes a direct hit when he loses his cool. Enter Sugar. Exit Sugar. In strides the Buffalo. Takes a lot of flak but will not give in. Then Grumps hits one up in the air. "Oh bloody hell," says Charlie, "Did I come back to see us finally wiped out here."

Buffalo keeps on going with Little Stevie for a while but he goes. Enter Rob "The Keeper." The caper changes direction again. The two Robbies start taking the Uni guys apart. Big hit follows big hit until the Buffalo runs out of puff having put together an excellent 62. Big Paulie doesn't last long and rushes off to the sound of Brass Band Music. Could the Keeper hear it as well? Who can tell? Big Pussy gets hit in the leg and goes. The Cat joins Robbie and does a good scrambling job.

The Saracenis heads are low. Only six balls to go and 19 to get. Grumpini leaves thinking all is lost and is off for a quick getaway. Robbie ignores the first delivery. He rushes the next and a second blank. Heads are low with thoughts again of that blasted plate. Third ball, six over extra cover. The Sarcenis perk up. Grumpini stops the car. Fourth ball, six over extra cover. Saracenis shouting, Grumpini rushes out from his car. Fifth ball, six over extra cover. Scores level, Saracenis going wild. Grumpinis car strats rolling down the hill. One to win. Last ball, the Uni boys all crowded in, cut for four. The Wise Guys have done it again.

Robbie Guilliani, Made man, 72 not out. The Hit of this or any other season.

"Can't take this any more," says Charlie. "When's the next game? Give me the cash."

At Sandy Bay (played 10.2.2001): Saracens 222-7 (R Sharma 38, R Marsden 61, Rob Gill 72*) beat HKU 218-7 (M Sabine 58, M Dar 70*; P Cresswell 4-29) by 3 wkts

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