Round 9 - 27th October 2001

Saracens v. Nomads at HKCC
Result: Saracens lost by 8 runs

An extremely disappointing performance with the bat (again) caused Saracens to lose the game after they had worked hard to get into a winning position.

Skip 2 lost the toss (again) and Saracens were put into the field. It has become a strange phenomenon this season that Saracens look a tidy outfit in the field (except against Mainlanders) and in this game they performed exceptionally well in this department. Sanjay and Skip 2 started economically and picked up a couple of wickets. The spin twins of Zaren and Mr Grumpy kept Nomads tied down and with young Vachha picking up 3 good wickets well supported by the catching of Skip 1 and Steve, things were looking good. Even Skip 2 was seen to swoop in from the covers to effect a runout.

Vet Vachha did not match the success of his offspring but with Skip 1 tidying up, Nomads were kept to what appeared to be a low score.

Admittedly, the wicket was not an easy one to score on. COC and Mr Grumpy started cautiously against some tight bowling but COC started the rot (but cannot be accused of causing) by flicking at a very slow full bunga that was heading for a huge wide down the leg side and giving an easy catch to square leg. His excuse was that the sun was in his eyes but it didn’t seem to affect the fielders! Steve soon followed but a revival by Skip 1, who looked in good nick, and Mr Grumpy seemed to have everything under control.

The return to the attack by Gavin Erasmus caused the rot to set in. A procession followed, mainly yorked, and Saracens ended 8 runs short leaving Sanjay not out after having smashed Costain for a huge 6 in the penultimate over and looking to finish the game in style.

At HKCC: Nomads 149-9 (Reid 31; Z Vachha 3-25) beat Saracens 141 (R Sharma 47, R Sujanani 37; G Erasmus 6-35) by 8 runs

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Tartars v. Mainlanders at KCC
Result: Tartars won by 86 runs

Next stop, the home turf of KCC for a match against the testing Mainlanders. This became a battle of two of Hong Kong’s ‘master blasters’, who really stole the show. Jamshaid ‘Shoulders’ vs Farouque ‘Long handle’ Saeed. ‘Shoulders’ bowled to ‘Long handle’, who started using his variety of shots including a flick of the wrists for six over Jammy’s head, which travelled in a parabolic curve towards the bowling green, followed by a ‘swat’ for six over deep mid-on boundary, a shot which is most difficult to describe but left this scribe in stitches. It was a mixture of a tennis over head backhand, and swatting a fly, and traveled parallel to the turf to the boundary. Anyway…Jammy was not impressed and the Tartars had an good total of 240 with a major contribution from Tauseef (72). Unfortunately the Mainlanders batting was brittle in the face of Lama and Faizy who again bowled excellent line and length and frustrated the quality batsmen into errors. Captain TR bowled ‘Long handle’ long enough for Jammy to exact some revenge, with balls disappearing to all corners of Tsim Sha Tsui, in the fading autumn light. This scribe couldn’t understand Farouque’s exasperated plea to the skipper. Anyway…when Jammy gave a catch to ‘the Doc’ the game was over and a comfortable win to the Tarts see them poised to challenge Nomads for the League leadership.

At KCC: Tartars 241-5 (A Bhatangar 68, T Bukhari 72; J Iqbal 3-49) beat Mainlanders 155-9 by 86 runs

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Round 8 - 25th October 2001

Saracens v. Gap Ramblers at KCC
Result: Saracens won by 3 wkts

No report received.

At KCC: Saracens 166-7 (R Sharma 58, T Hield 46) beat Gap Ramblers 162-8 (A Smith 41, Grimshaw 33; R Sharma 5-30) by 3 wkts

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Tartars v. Witherers at HKCC
Result: Tartars won by 8 wkts

There is nothing more dangerous than a Tartar who has been whipped, so on Chung Yeung holiday we trekked up the hill to play Witherers at the Gap. The team spirit was palpable as TR motivated the lads to prepare for an important game. None could forget the final of the cup last year when Witherers captured the cup in an exciting match, on the last ball. Faizi (0/50), who is still looking resplendent and content in his new marriage, remembered clearly his delivery in that final last year which was unceremoniously lifted over the keeper’s head to the boundary, opened with Lama (3/44), who in this humble scribes opinion is playing his best cricket for years. Anyway….they both bowled beautifully, and even Brewy (34) was troubled. Aftab also bowling with strength and precision (3/53) and took the wicket of Brewy, caught in the safe hands on the boundary by ‘Slim’. The Tartars fielding was superb, no mistakes, great placement and understanding, and the only catch that didn’t stick was an unbelievable parallel to the ground effort by Lama fielding at wide mid-on, which few mortals would have got their hands to, let alone caught. Anyway…apart from Booth (51) and O’Reilly (44) there was not much resistance and 7 for 196 was a distinct possibility.

Tony Correa (38) (looking much more focussed than on his previous outing, now able to control the fading memories of bronze Greek goddesses lazing on sun soaked sand next to azure seas, contrasting with the brisk, bracing breezes of the Tibetan mountains) confidently paired up with Anoop (21) in a reasonable start. Tauseef Buchari, a new recruit this year who has fitted in very well and who boasts good technique in both batting and bowling teamed up with TR, who was in a very determined mood to wipe out his unfortunate dismissal the previous week. Anyway…that was it Tauseef (44) and TR a splendid controlled 72, finished off, and TATAS won by 8 wickets.

At HKCC: Tartars 198-2 (A Correa 38, T Bukhari 44*, T R Kalyanaraman 72*) beat Witherers 196-7 (S Brew 34, O'Reilly 44; S Lama 3-44, A Ahmad 3-53) by 8 wkts

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Round 7 - 20th October 2001

Crusaders v. Lamma at KCC
Result: Crusaders lost by 14 runs

Lamma won the toss and elected to bat. Brad Tarr has been in form recently and again carried on in similar fashion, before being run out for 64. Niaz also chipped away pulling everything outside off for 32, but it was Salim Malik, who played an excellent innings. Salim scored a top class 119 n.o. and helped Lamma to 260 for 5 from 35 overs.

The Ders lost the openers to Zubair quite early, but enter Scanners, who like Salim in the Lamma innings, played a wonderful innings, splitting the fielders, (as 9 were on the boundary!) Quality knock of 111, well done that man! Nick Waters was the only person in support and after the drinks break, both, really got there eye in and had a fine partnership. Nick finished with 38.

Crusaders finished in the dark, short by 14 runs.

P.S. For those Crusaders who have played cricket on Saturdays for a few years now, just in case you forgot, start time is 1.15pm. The rest of the team would really appreciate it if you could all make the effort and turn up on time.

At KCC: Lamma 260-5 (V Niaz 32, B Tarr 64, S Malik 119*) beat Crusaders 246-9 (S Scanlon 111, N Waters 38; M Zubair 4-50, B Tarr 3-63) by 14 runs

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Tartars v. HKU at Sandy Bay
Result: Tartars lost by 46 runs

On Saturday 20th October the Tartars, aka TATAS (for a short time anyway, before they become the Noble Tartars, which they already are anyway some reckon), stumbled against HKU at Sandy Bay. It was a day when the machine didn’t fire, Hussein Butt was trying for his Guiness Book of World Records longest hit cricket ball, and not endearing himself to the HK cricket selectors who would rather see some finesse rather than agriculture as we move toward the 6’s which will be viewed by millions who won’t think much of cross bat swipes (not to mention the class cricketers who will simply rub their hands together). Anyway…after a composed opening innings by Martin Sabine (52) and a brief and important 43 by Hussein Butt a total of 217 looked quite achievable by the TATAS strong batting line up. Once again bolstered by that playboy of the Mediterranean, Chic (pronounced Sheek) Correa back from his latest round of socialite engagements on the balmy isles of Greece and some fitness training in the rarified mountain air of Nepal, the TATAS were brim full of confidence from their recent run of wins and felt that this was quite achievable. Anyway…Chic, tanned, straight and tall opened with the now trim, fitter ‘Slim’ Anoop. But looks aren’t everything and the boys faltered, except for Anoop (35) and a fine knock by Lama (75). When the ‘Doc’ gave TR out to an arguable LBW decision, the rot set in, even the Tarts big hitters Faizi, ‘Long handle’ Saeed, and Aftab Ahmed were humbled by the tantalizing left arm in dippers of Mr Hafeez, who bowled beautifully.

At Sandy Bay: HKU 217-6 (M Sabine 52, M Hafeez 37, H Butt 43) beat Tartars 171 (A Nainani 35, S Lama 76; M Hafeez 5-28, M Bulusu 4-63) by 46 runs

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Round 6 - 13th October 2001

Saracens v. Crusaders at KCC
Result: Saracens won by 41 runs

If last seasons game was anything to go by this game should have been on a battlefield rather than a cricket ground. Fortunately Beefy kept a check on his players especially the WADDLE and the newly recruited BARANACLE. Also we got to see Jards smile for a change but that probably has more to do with his recent engagement than the cricket.

Beefy won the toss and decided to field, strange decision I thought, as the rest of the Saracens tucked into some more Chicken Tikka's knowing that we were batting. Again, not the best of starts with Beefy and Toddy (we will have to hear it for a long time) bowling well. Rahul batting at three got a out of character 50 runs as his frustration grew at not being able to time the ball. As the saying goes OLD IS GOLD, Yarman (46 n.o.) came in at 5 and hit some big hits together with Sanjay (22 n.o.) got us to 181 runs. Modest target and we would have to bowl well to win this game.

Once again the reliable PC bowled well 1 wicket for 30 in 10 overs. Scanners and Jards were getting on top when the Yarman again came on to bowl and has instant success having Jards bowled playing for the turn (when will they learn, Yarman does not turn the ball). Scanners was going great guns and with Beefy nearly took the game away from us. Yarman was everywhere and caught Scanners on the fence of Skips bowling. Rahul chipped in with wickets as well but the bowling honour of the day goes to Sanjay as he bowled with great line and length, 6 overs, 9 runs, 1 wicket. For my money Man of Match : Yarman Vachha.

There is no game on 20th October so I am sure some sort of lunch will be orgainsed. If there was a team that were league leaders at lunching it would be the Saracens!!!

At KCC: Saracens 181-5 (B Shroff 37, R Sharma 50 Y Vachha 46*;D Mohammad 3-47) beat Crusaders 142 (S Scanlon 45; R Sujanani 3-34) by 41 runs.

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Tartars v. Centaurs at Mission Road
Result: Tartars won by 6 wkts

No report received.

At Mission Road: Tartars 108-4 (S Dukhande 35*) beat Centaurs 107-9 (G Lalchandani 37*; F Khan 3-17, A Ahmad 4-11) by 6 wkts.

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Round 5 - 6th October 2001

Saracens v. HKU at KCC
Result: Saracens lost by 7 wkts

After the pounding we received by the Mainlanders I was quite determined to put the Saracens back to their winning ways. Having selected the best 11 players available (not all in my team agree with me on who the best 11 players are) we took on the might of HKU at home and not on the bouncy track of Sandy Bay (thank god).

Having won the toss and electing to bat we did not get of to the flyer we so hoped. Rahul batting at three went in and looked good, as usual, and complied a determined 74 runs. Unfortunately the rest of the Saracens did not contribute with as much determination as wickets feel at regular intervals and leaving us probably 30-40 runs short at 175 runs at the close of our innings.

I knew we had to bowl out of our skins to win this game as the HKU has some goods and one special player, Butt Hussain. Anyway, we made a good start with PC and Sanjay (new player, our youngster policy as he is only 26) bowling well. PC bowled his 10 overs straight giving about 30 runs for 1 wicket. Yarman came on to bowl his and got success straight away with a excellent catch from Burji (I wish he would have dropped that one). This brought Butt Hussain to the wicket and boy can he hit a ball. The lawn bowlers at KBGC were asking for helmets as were the workers in the new buidling who rushed around searching for their helmets. He got a 100 n.o. and sunk any hopes of a win.

This is not a good start as we have lost 2 out of 2 and take on the Crusaders in the club derby next week.

At Sandy Bay: HKU 179-3 (M Sabine 35, H Butt 103*) beat Saracens 175 (R Sharma 74; M Bulusu 3-41, S Mehta 4-36) by 7 wkts.

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Rescheduled Games - 2nd October 2001

Saracens v. Mainlanders at KCC
Result: Saracens lost by 229 runs

No report received.

At KCC (played 02.10.01): Mainlanders 277-4 (A Shah 148*, T Dar 59) beat Saracens 48 (S Ali 4-9) by 229 runs.

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Rescheduled Games - 1st October 2001

Crusaders v. St George's at KCC
Result: Crusaders won by 7 wickets

No report received.

At KCC (played 01.10.01): Crusaders 177-3 (D Green 109*, M Johnson 30*, Troy 3-38) beat St George's 173-7 (D Mohammed 3-49) by 7 wickets.

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