Saturday Cup Semi-Final - 22nd March 2003

Crusaders vs. CCC at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Crusaders won by 9 wickets

On the back of a thumping victory over Witherers the previous week, it was not too surprising that Crusaders opted to field upon winning the toss against CCC in their Saturday Cup Semi-final clash at KCC. And another sublime batting performance from Crusaders’ top order saw the Crusaders through to their first Saturday Cup final appearance for a number of years.

Despite CCC’s mid-table placing in the league, Crusaders were well aware that any team with Mark Eames in the batting line-up has the ability to spring a surprise result on any given day. But this was not one of those days. Crusaders’ bowlers held the upper hand throughout and, although not too many wickets were claimed, the total was kept well in check throughout. ‘Stead’ scored a useful 72 but his wicket was key to the winning and losing of the match. ‘Doc’ Foster scored a useful 39 not out at the end but the total of 182-4 did not appear to be enough to put pressure on Crusaders.

If the ‘Barnacle’ was brilliant against Witherers, he simply went ballistic against CCC. After a somewhat cautious start, he blazed to his century off only 60-odd balls and reached 118 off only 75 balls, including 8 sixes and 6 fours. Not that it was chanceless a innings – one notable blooper by Dougie Brown left everyone gob-smacked (not least his team-mates) – but his hitting was some of the cleanest seen since, well, his demolition of Witherers the previous week. Barney’s batting partner, ‘Mojo’, overcame a nervous start, dropped twice on consecutive balls, to post an undefeated 53 not out. Barney eventually holed out with the total in sight but the target was reached with plenty of time and overs to spare.

The ‘boys’ from the ‘Gower always provide one of the most enjoyable games of the season and, despite the lop-sided result in this match, this was no exception. Plenty of empty beer bottles were deposited back in the bar at the end of the evening as thoughts turned to the Cup final and the return to the Club of some long overdue silverware.

Check out photos from the game.

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Crusaders 183-1 (M Cheruparambil 53*, A Barnett 118) beat CCC 182-4 (M Eames 72, J Foster 39*) by 9 wkts

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Saturday Plate Semi-Final - 22nd March 2003

Saracens vs. Centaurs at Po Kong Village Road
Result: Saracens lost by 6 wickets

No report received.

At Po Kong Village Road: Centaurs 169-4 (K Hemshall 36, S Brammar 62) beat Saracens 166-6 (R Sujanani 35, Y Vachha 52) by 6 wkts

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Saturday Cup Quarter-Final - 15th March 2003

Crusaders vs. Witherers at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Crusaders won by 10 wickets

Witherers were 2 short of a team, and despite a splendid opening partnership left too many gaps for the conquering Crusaders.

The Doc won the toss and put Witherers in and with only seven of the Crusaders back from lunch, six an over was easy until the reinforcements arrived and the Doc gladly retired to the boundary to watch his powerful, well balanced team get on with their march to the Cup. Killer was living up to his name (although Hyph will no doubt wax lyrical about his antics) and bowled a delightful spell in tandem with Immy to halt Boothy's threatening dominance of the game. All bowled well, Beefy, Todd, Don, also chipping in with tight, sensible deliveries.

170 was a total which looked relatively easy despite the absence of Captain Scanners and Jards (who did put in a short but sweet cameo performance at first slip dressed in his ballet gear). It was then over to that man of the moment, Barney on his triumphant return from the Antipodes, who despite trying to get out six or seven times in the first couple of overs, stamped his trade mark on the game: delightful century full of well struck boundaries and some attempts on the record distance of a ball leaving the centre of KCC down Cox's Rd. Killer at the other end provided faultless back up and an innings, which was a pleasure to watch. And watch is what the rest of us did. No wickets down and on go Crusaders and the Doc to the Cup.

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Crusaders 174-0 (D Kelleher 37*, A Barnett 124*) beat Witherers 170-6 (A Stewart 38, A Booth 32, A Srinivasan 66*; D Kelleher 3-32) by 10 wkts

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Saturday Plate Quarter-Final - 15th March 2003

Tartars vs. Kai Tak at Po Kong Village Road
Result: Tartars lost by 89 runs

No Report received.

At Po Kong Village Road (played 15.03.03): Kai Tak 236 (D Ellis 34, T Patidar 74; Tauseef 3-86, P Butani 4-63) beat Tartars 147 (Farooq 31, Tauseef 32; B Morley 3-51) by 89 runs

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Saturday Plate Quarter-Final - 8th March 2003

Saracens vs. Lamma at Police Training School
Result: Saracens won by a walk-over

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Saturday Cup Round 1 - 8th March 2003

Tartars vs. CCC at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Tartars lost by 6 wkts

No report received.

At Kowloon Cricket Club (played 08.03.03): CCC 258-4 (M Eames 155*, A Mukhtar 48) beat Tartars 254-4 (R Sharma 55, A Nainani 42, Farooq Saeed 79) by 6 wkts

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Saturday Cup Round 1 - 1st March 2003

Saracens vs. Crusaders at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Crusaders won by 1 wkt

A tantalising draw saw Crusaders and Saracens go head-to-head in the opening round of the 2002-03 Saturday Cup/Plate competition. Neither side was at full bowling strength with Zubair, Jamshaid and Imran all unavailable.

Saracens opted to bat first and were in early trouble with the loss of Tauseef to a regulation slip catch by Manoj at second slip off Todd. Temogen came in at first drop and immediately showed his intentions with a cracking cover drive to the the fence and repeating the dose two balls later. Ravi looked in menacing form, cracking a couple boundaries to square of the wicket but he perished just when it looked like he would go on to make a big score. Buji came in but never looked at ease and got a life after Travis spilled a chance at square leg. However Travis got his revenge soon afterwards when he took a fine running catch over his shoulder in the next over.

Yogi and Temogen put on a good 60+ run partnership before Todd captured Temogen for a very well struck 82. When Todd picked up Rishi's wicket the next ball, Shiroy strood to the wicket facing the hat-trick. It is moments in life like this when, as a bowler, you truly believe that the Gods are smiling down on you. Unfortunately, Todd failed to seize the opportunity and his first ball, a leg-side half volley, was duly smashed over the boundary by Shiroy for 6. A few lusty blows from the tail helped push the score over the 200 mark and a final total of 205-7. Todd was the most successful bowler, claiming 4-55.

Crusaders got off to a positive start in reply with Manoj and Damian pushing the ball into the gaps well, with the occasional boundary. However after putting on a 50-run opening partnership, Ravi claimed both batsmen in quick succession. Simon and Graeme had to consolidate the innings but shortly after coming together, Graeme pulled up lame with a strained hamstring and had to retire to the pavilion for a bit of RICE. Ray joined Simon at the crease and the two played very well to move the score steadily onward. At 164-2 Crusaders seemed to be cruising towards their victory target. It was around this time that Ravi came back for a final spell of bowling and he had immediate success, dismissing Ray for a well hit 41. From 188-3, Ravi inspired Crusaders to collapse completely to be 200-9. At this stage, the reluctant Graeme had to re-don the pads and hobble out to the wicket, together with a runner. Fortunately for him, Hugh managed to sterr the next couple of balls for 6 runs and he was not required to face the bowling again. Crusaders got their eventually - but not without a few heart murmurs along the way. Ravi's final bowling figures were 5-32, whilst Simon scored an excellent 83.

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Crusaders 206-9 (S Scanlon 83, R Brewster 41; R Sujanani 5-32, T Bukhari 3-53) beat Saracens 205-7 (T Heild 82, Y Mahtani 30; T Johnsen 4-55) by 1 wkt

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