Saturday Cup Final - 13th April 2002

Tartars v. Nomads at HKCC
Result: Tartars lost by 6 wkts

No report received.

At HKCC (played 13.04.02): Nomads 114-4 (J Powell 39*) beat Tartars 113 (A Ashman 3-17, M Costain 6-37) by 6 wkts

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Saturday Cup Semi-finals - 6th April 2002

Saracens v. Tartars at Mission Road
Result: Tartars won by 53 runs

With the hallowed turf at KCC, being ripped, scraped and dug up, the much awaited 2nd derby game of the year between reigning league premiers Tartars and the born again (for the upteenth year running) Saracens, was scheduled for a somewhat disappointing alternate venue - Mission Road. The Tartars have had the wood on the Saracens in recent clashes, however after the infamous Sujanani/ Butani collision at the last meeting, the Saracens had a few points to prove. The Tartars were seeking their second consecutive year in the Saturday Cup final and an opportunity to avenge last year's loss which robbed them of the League / Cup double.

Batting first the Tartars did not cover themselves in early glory, losing Anurag then stand in skip Correa in the early overs and being restricted to less than 3 an over by an accurate opening bowling combination of Sanjay and Jamshed. Coming into the 12th over the Tartars were needing a lift and Anoop was starting to find the middle when he was dismissed in his 20s going for runs. This turned out to be the turning point of the game as the Saracens were forced to rest their openers and Tartars threw in pinch hitter Faisy at No 5. Faisy and the in form Tauseef proceeded to take the long handle to the change bowlers Paul Creswell and then Ravi Sujanani. Faisy was particularly brutal hitting 3 sixes and 2 fours in only 3 overs and Tauseef was equally effective smashing the ball to all parts of the ground. In one key over before drinks Faisy and Tauseef hit 23 off the hapless PC who could only throw his hands up in despair as the batsmen hit through the line on the damp unresponsive Mission Road mat. At 85 for 3 after 17 overs the Tartars were back in the game and the Saracens were struggling to find answers in the hot and humid conditions.

Resurgent HK international Ravi found the answer straight after the drinks break when Steve Wilson caught Faisy on the deep mid wicket 'slog' fence after spilling an earlier chance. However there was no respite for the Saracens as Farooq continued where Faisy had started and both he and Tauseef took the long handle. Hong Kong skipper, prond new dad and 'former Ranji Trophy player', Rahul Sharma was called into play with his tempting leg breaks and he and Ravi managed to make some long awaited breakthroughs dismissing Tauseef for a match winning 51. Lama fell quickly hitting recklessly across the line but Aftab did what he does best and popped some balls over and across the boundary before it was left to Farooq to see off the innings for a well made 33. In the end the Tartars were happy to get out of jail with a well made 198 for 7. The best of the hapless Saracens was Ravi with 3 for 70.

In response, much rested on the Saracens top order of Rahul, Ravi , Burji ,Steve and Sanjay. Unfortunately no one could stick with rahul who top scored with 71 and the Tartars were able to steadily chip away with wickets throughout their innings. When Rahul was well caught by Anoop off man of the match Tauseef (3 for 27) trying to lift the run rate in the face of a fast diminishing list of team mates at the other end. The game was all but over.

However as with all KCC derby games this was not the end of the story. Aftab who had been called upon by skip Correa at first change to slow Rahul's run bowled a remarkable over which resulted in a rare hat trick. After two consecutive wickets Aftab was given a 5 slip (inc one leg slip), 2 gully, short leg and silly mid off field in order to dismiss hat tick target Shiroy Vaccha. Shiroy was not perturbed and strode to the wicket in his normal confident manner. Unfortunately for him and his misplaced self confidence, he was not to survive the moment and Aftab hit him square in front for a well deserved lbw and hat trick. Aftab finished with the fine figures of 5 for 47 off 10 overs. In the end the Saracens could not ovecome their derby nemisis - dismissed for an inadequate 145 with a sharp catch at slip to Correa who had earlier shown his age by dropping Sharma at full (go go gadget arm) stretch (perhaps he will be able to qualify for Saracens on the 'over age' rule next season).

A fine win for the Tartars and a nice way to enter the Cup final for the second year running.

At Mission Road: Tartars 198-7 (T Bukhari 51, F Saeed 33; R Sujanani 3-70) beat Saracens 145 (R Sharma 71; A Ahmed 5-47 ( Including a hat trick), T Bukhari 3-27) by 53 runs

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Saturday Cup Quarter-finals - 30th March 2002

Saracens v. CCC at KCC
Result: Saracens won by 36 runs

In miserable conditions Saracens overcame CCC in a low scoring game to take their place in the semi finals. Saracens played excellently in the previous round to beat Gap Ramblers even with Adam Smith in full flow and against CCC, Saracens again played with a great team effort to defend a low score of 149.

Winning the toss Skip 2 in the absence of Skip 4 took the helm again and pushed the autopilot button to set the well oiled machine in action.

The weather was very wet and damp but fortunately the heavy rain held off until the game was over. Wickets fell regularly to the wily Weatherman with his slow away swingers and at one point Saracens were 70 for 6. The lower order together with Sanjay squeezed out every run they could to reach 149 for 9 after 35 overs. Good support from Shiroy, Anil and Nigel enabled Sanjay to score 48 vital runs.

With no improvement in the conditions Saracens bowled and fielded with great enthusiasm keeping the pressure on CCC preventing them getting on top. Saracens managed without Mr Grumpy in the field, whose new role as a Dad suddenly meant cricket came second, and did not need to call on COC to bowl (sigh of relief from many in the team). Sanjay with 4 wickets, Skip 2 and Skip1 with 2 each and Zaran with 1 did the damage.

Many thanks to Brian for standing in as 12th man and to the Finesmaster (Skip 3) for umpiring in the rain (and not fining anybody).

Fpr a CCC perspective on this match, please visit the CCC website.

At KCC (played 30.02.03): Saracens 149-9 (S Kumar 47; S Weatherley 4-38) beat CCC 113-9 (R Nissim 30; S Kumar 4-23) by 36 runs

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Tartars v. Centaurs at Mission Road
Result: Tartars won on a walk-over after Centaurs failed to raise a team.

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Saturday Cup (First Round) - 9th March 2002

Saracens v. Gap Ramblers at KCC
Result: Saracens won by 67 runs

No report received.

At KCC: Saracens 254-5 (R Sharma 80, R Sujanani 56, B Shroff 54; A Smith 3-57) beat Gap Ramblers 187 (A Smith 47, J Collard 40; T Heild 4-55) by 67 runs

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Crusaders v. Islanders at Mission Road
Result: Crusaders gave a walk-over after failing to raise a team.

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Saturday Cup (First Round) - 9th March 2002

Tartars v. Police at KCC
Result: Tartars won

No report received.

At KCC: Tartars defeated Police - no details provided.

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