Saturday Cup - Final

Crusaders v. LSW Warriors (DBS) at Kowloon Cricket Club on 24th April 2004
Result: Crusaders lost by 3 wkts

At Kowloon Cricket Club (played 24.04.04): LSW Warriors 152-7 (I Gul 70*; I Farcy 8-0-38-3) beat Crusaders 151-8 (G Jardine 32; A Bokhari 10-2-29-3) by 3 wkts 

Saturday Cup - Semi-Final

Crusaders v. Lamma at Kowloon Cricket Club on 17th April 2004
Result: Crusaders won by 9 wkts

Coming off 2 convincing wins in the cup competition, Crusaders continued their good form even after a break of nearly a month. Lamma who had beaten us convincingly in the league game came off 2nd best by a long way this time around. The match started on time despite a heavy down pour earlier in the day, a testimony to the improved drainage of the ground. Having won the toss a Butt-less Lamma decided to bat as they did on our last encounter. Things did not go to plan however as the opening bowlers for Crusaders, Imran and beefy, picked up the first 3 wickets quite quickly although some wayward bowling saw us concede needless runs. The first wicket to fall was a LBW off Beefy while the other two were bowled , the batsmen beaten by swing and pace. The bowlers were aided by some very good fielding by the Crusaders in particular by Matt at point who pulled off a couple of brilliant stops saving more than 20 runs.  

The 4th wicket was picked up by Mojo, who had replaced Beefy, with a wide delivery that the batsman chases and nicked through to the keeper.  Lama and Toby put up some resistance for the 5th wicket with Toby in particular attacking the bowlers taking a particular liking to our Aussie import Roy. Toby was caught for a well struck 30 odd off a slower one from the skipper. Roy who had been expensive at the start redeemed himself by picking up 2 wickets, trapping Lama LBW and inducing an edge off the dangerous no.7 who had smacked 70 off 40 against us in the league. Beefy and Imran were re-introduced into the game to mop things up and they obliged by taking wicket no.s 8&9. The final wicket fell to Mojo who completed a decent caught and bowled to finish things off. Young Jaime continued to improve behind the stumps gloving 3 catches in the innings. Lamma managed to post 141 off 26 overs well below par for the course. It was a short day in the field for the Crusaders which made it a change from most of the season, the bowlers and fielders had done their jobs for once and now it was up to the batsmen to do theirs.

The successful opening pair from the previous game was retained after their unbroken partnership of 198 against the Tartars. We had to play 10 overs to constitute a game and ensure a run rate greater than 4. Run rate was never going to be a problem with Barney at the crease however with the skies darkening there was plenty to be concerned about. Barney started his innings in unique style hitting a six over long on continuing on from his 112* and Killer also looked in good touch stroking a few 4s off Lama. They put together another century partnership,124 to be exact, before Barney skied one into covers and was caught out on 68 off not many. Jaime completed a good day by scoring 10 including 2 fours,.a classy flick off the toes and a crashing square cut. With the rain thickening Killer completed the run chase in the 20th over with an on-drive for four and remained not out on 45, incidentally he is yet to get out in the cup run scoring 89*, 70* in the past 2 games .  The other batsmen in the side had a very uneventful day, however there were no complaints as we marched into the finals and the sports bar for a few drinks. With the bowling and fielding looking sharp and the top order finally playing to potential, we enter the finals hoping to continue the form and to go one step further than we did last year.

At Kowloon Cricket Club (played 17.04.04): Crusaders 144-1 (D Kelleher 45*, A Barnett 72) beat Lamma 141 (T White 32; A Baker 6-0-33-3, M Cheruparambil 6.1-0-24-3) by 9 wkts

[Top]

Saturday Plate - Final

Saracens v. Police at Kowloon Cricket Club on 2nd May 2004
Result: Saracens won by 6 wkts

Saracens Clean Up and Take the Plate

The Saturday Plate Final was, oddly – but perhaps not for Hong Kong cricket – played on the first Sunday of May.  The combatants would be the KCC Saracens and the Police.

As usual the Saracens fielded a side full of all-rounders, who had been handpicked by Shiroy 3 weeks ago.  Early intelligence suggested that the Police would be fiercely competitive and determined to pick up a trophy, in what maybe their last game of league cricket in Hong Kong (which is rumored to be the basis for Infernal Affairs IV, with Andy Lau playing Clive Howard of course – I think Clive started the rumor, although their bowling is probably comparable).

So the Sunday of the Saturday Plate Final, turned out to be nice and hot – just how the Saracens like it.  The KCC wicket was also looking fast and bouncy, perfect for the cross bat shots and the skipper was confident of winning yet another toss and taking to the field with 11 fit, slim and fast Saracens.  (The author has used a little creative license in this paragraph, as anyone who was at the game will know.)

So it was that the Saracens were sent into the field by the Police.  The opening bowlers struggled to find anything in the wicket but kept things pretty much in check, until Neeraj was smacked over cover for a 6 that went like a bullet (I promised to mention Neeraj in the match report!).  Time for a change.

The spin of Rahul, Ravi and Yarman, all experienced Saracens, then proceed to keep the run rate low and with the aid of some typical Saracens fielding pick up wickets regularly. 

Shiroy took an agile catch on long on, but then couldn’t get up in time to take another at long off.  Krish took a reflex catch in close, but was then dozing and missed another.  Neeraj caught one off his stomach (that may have been in the semi) and Ravi dropped a sitter after running all over to make the attempt.  Nonetheless a good days work from the senior pros.

At the end of 35 overs, the total was around 165 – which for a Saturday game (even on a Sunday) is usually not going to be enough.  The Saracens were confident of chasing the total, even against the formidable variation available to the Police.

Krish and Rahul opened up and were pacing the chase well (not too fast).  Rahul eventually go frustrated and holed out.  Ravi then came in and made 30 odd, which left us needing only thirty or so.  The skipper then made it to double figures and Krish picked up a 50 n/o.  Shiroy he was the only batter to fail, making a duck after sneaking himself up the order.

In any case the job was completed with around 4 overs to go and 6 wickets in hand.  Once again the Saracens have collected some silverware, contributing to KCC’s massive dominance of Hong Kong cricket in its centenary year.

On a side note, Shiroy Vaccha has also retired as Saracens convener, a post he has held for many years and one in which he done great service to the Saracens.  Shiroy was presented with a memento at the conclusion of the game which along with his duck should provide fond memories.  Many thanks to Shiroy who can now concentrate full time on improving his batting average.

At Kowloon Cricket Club (played 02.05.04): Saracens 165-4 (K Kumar 57*, R Sujanani 33) beat Police 162-8 (C Walton 58, Nasir Hameed 70*; Y Vachha 8-0-14-3) by 6 wickets

[Top]

Saturday Plate - Semi-Final

Saracens v. Nomads at Mission Road on 24th April 2004
Result: Saracens won by 56 runs

At Mission Road (played 24.04.04): Saracens 215-6 (T Hield 113*, N Savalani 65; Fairclough 10-0-62-4) beat Nomads 159-9 (Brown 30, Goodman 38; R Sharma 10-0-57-4) by 56 runs

[Top]

Saturday Plate - Quarter-Final

Saracens v. HKU at Sandy Bay on ??
Result: Saracens won by ??

At Sandy Bay (played ??): Saracens beat HKU by ??

[Top]