Match Reports - October 2003
Saturday League | Sunday League

Saturday League

Round 8

Crusaders v. Islanders

Round 7

Tartars v. Lamma

Saracens v. St George's

Round 6

Crusaders v. Witherers

Tartars v. St George's

Saracens v. Mainlanders

Round 5

Crusaders v. Saracens

Tartars v. CCC

Round 4

Crusaders v. Gap Ramblers

Saracens v. Witherers

Round 8 - Saturday, 25th October 2003

Crusaders v. Islanders at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Crusaders won by 7 runs

In what turned out to be a preview of the Sixes weekend , the Crusaders narrowly defeated Islanders by a solitary 6. Crusaders were put into bat by the Islanders skip and it was the first foray on the new turf wicket for a majority of the team including the opening bats Killer and Mojo. The stands constructed for the sixes meant that the Cox’s road boundary was at 40 yards, this disadvantage to the bowlers was somewhat negated by the low bounce the bowlers got off the wicket. The two openers started off solidly, the runs started to flow once the batsmen got used to the pitch and the bowling. Flowing at close to 7 an over the openers made yet another 100+ stand and the first to fall was the captain - well caught at deep square leg for 73 off the bowling of Moazzam . Roy Lamsam came in and played a brief cameo of 22 before skying Moazzam to Amjad. The rest of the batsmen were sent in with the aim being to strengthen the already healthy run rate. However Barney (0) and Jardine (2) perished both bowled in the effort. With 8 overs left Matt Aldridge went in to face his U-19 colleagues and supported Killer as he kept the score board moving. Killer’s maiden hundred in Hong Kong was brought up with a superb drive to the cover fence, but the joy was short lived as he was out bowled the next over. This left 5 overs to pile on the runs and Matt and Jamie were the two with the responsibility. The task was difficult for the two youngsters who had not got used to the pitch and some good bowling. The innings closed at 257 with extras tallying 47 the 3rd highest scorer.The pick of the bowlers was Infidels’ very own Moazzam who bowled 10 overs 3 for 40.

The Islanders innings was opened by Nadeem Ahmed and Ansar Mahmood while the new ball was shared by Beefy Baker and Imran Farcy. The first over was a good one with Beefy finding the length from ball one. The breakthrough came in the 2nd when Imran was chipped to mid off by Nadeem where the Don pouched the catch. Saleem Malik, another talented U-19 cricketer, walked in to bat and picked a wayward Imran for a couple of boundaries. Beefy continued to bowl from the Scoreboard end, while Imran was replaced by Lamsam after his 2nd over. The switch was effective in removing Ansar who was bowled by Roy on 10. Being right on top at this juncture Crusaders looked to consolidate their position but were denied by the determined batting of Shakawat Ali and the free hitting of Malik. Beefy was replaced after a good spell of 5 overs and the tennis pro Todd was brought in. It was a difficult task to bowl to an in-form Malik with boundaries as short as 40 yards. The two bowlers did a good job, Roy bowling his 10 overs straight for 62. The two batsman built a solid partnership but keeping below the asking rate.

It was the last 10 overs that they decided to chance their arm with the short boundaries. Mojo bringing himself on to bowl went for 30 off 2 while a couple of chances were given by the batsman and grassed during the onslaught. Ali chanced his luck too often and holed out to Mojo while Todd competed the catch after a fine display of juggling. Salim having survived a drop catch and a run out thanks to the umpire continued to make merry. Todd and Mojo were replaced by Beefy and Immy towards the death. It seemed that the Islanders were heading for a win until a good throw in from the boundary by Barney saw Malik out of his crease for a second time and was adjudged out. With 2 new bats at the crease the asking rate was still very achievable yet another run out and Imran bowling the next man in helped the Crusaders gain the upper hand again. With 2 overs to go and 18 runs required, the game turned into a fiasco as the batsmen were offered bad light and decided to go off the field as per off field instruction. This brought a protest from the Crusaders and the umpire asked the batsmen if they could see the ball and the reponse was that they could. So the play went on in fading light while the bowlers were asked to bowl slow. The penultimate over went for 6 and the Islanders needed 12 off the last over from Beefy. The batsman complained to the umpire that they could not see the ball now, however play continued as conditions had not deteriorated and they proceeded to smack the ball to long on and long off but were unable to find the boundaries and ended up picking singles and 7 runs short. Immy finished with 2 for 33 off 5 while Beefy bowled well for 9 overs giving away 46.

That’s four in a row for the Crusaders and long may it continue. Islanders’ players must be commended for not following the lead of a few of their supporters whose behaviour during and after the game was not becoming of the team.

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Crusaders 257-5 (D Kelleher 103, Manoj 73; Moazzam 10-0-40-3) beat Islanders 251-6 (S Malik 115, S Ali 71) by 7 runs

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Round 7 - Saturday, 18th October 2003

Tartars v. Lamma at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Tartars won by 6 wickets

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Tartars 154-4 (TR Kalyaraman 38*) beat Lamma 150 (C Francis 55, T Parker 40; A Haider 5-1-14-4) by 6 wkts

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Saracens v. St George's at Po Kong Village Road
Result: Saracens lost by wickets

At Po Kong Village Road (1): St George's 248-4 (M Tahir 46, Saikat 74*, M Amjad 80*; T Hield 10-0-53-3) beat Saracens 247-2 (R Sharma 120, T Hield 80) by 6 wickets

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Round 6 - Saturday, 11th October 2003

Crusaders v. Witherers at Hong Kong Cricket Club
Result: Crusaders won by a superior run-rate

The Witherers withered to their third defeat of the season as the Crusaders made it 3 wins in a row on a rain soaked Saturday Afternoon. While the game was decided on run rate there was no doubt as to the fact that the better side won. Having checked the weather report and in turn the calculations if rain should intervene, it was determined by the think tanks that the toss had to be won and we would have to field for the 5th game in a row. Things went according to plan and the Crusaders were on the field at 1:15 for the kick off.

The conditions were good for swing bowling and they were used to their utmost by the two opening bowlers, Lamsam and Johnsen. The field could not be as attacking as wanted due to the unexplained absence of ‘mad’ Barnett who was last seen shooting a commercial in Tsuen wan. Lamsam opened up with a maiden and Johnsen followed up with another good over yielding a single. The breakthrough came when Lamsam bowled a superb inswinger to the left-handed opener that re-arranged the furniture. It was 3 for 1 at the end of the over. Johnsen, obtaining prodigious out swing was rewarded in the next over when the batsman had a frustrated swipe only to top edge it into the safe hands of Matt Aldridge. 3 for 2 off 4 overs. Lamsam and Johnsen continued to bowl well but were unlucky on numerous occassions while the batsmen struggled to accumulate runs. Wicket no.3 came on an over pitched delivery that was smashed to Tony Giovanni Soprano, the tennis ace, who completed the catch when the ball lodged itself between his elbow and midriff. Lamsam finished as 7 over spell giving away only 22 and was replaced by Muddy Waters the face of ATV World. Todd meanwhile picked up a third, caught at head height by Barnett, who had arrived a few overs earlier having taken a detour via the jockey club to place some bets. Muddy waters bowled his wily brand of leg spin teasing the batsmen to hit against the wind. He picked up his first wicket turning the ball from leg to off ( a la Shane Warne) to leave the batsman stranded out side the crease while Jaime completed a swift stumping. Johnsen continued to beat the bat and was unlucky not to pick up another and finished up with the exceptional figures of 10 overs 3 for 19.

Waters continued to bowl well the ball dipping and turning and almost picked up another when Matt Aldridge completed a good catch at long on off another left-hander only to fall back and seat himself over the rope. Needless to say the next ball disappeared over the midwicket fence. Manoj picked up the baton from Todd and continued the good display of swing bowling beating the bat on numerous occasions before successfully finding the outside edge through to Jamie, keeping well behind the stumps. Waters picked up the left-hander enticing him into a big shot yet again where Lee Worthington took a good catch skating across the wet outfield and holding one at ankle height. Manoj then took wicket no. 8 when the batsman mistimed one to Gio who completed the catch in a more orthodox manner this time round. Nick mean while narrowly missed out on another wicket next over when a strong sweep went in and out of Gio’s hands as he made a one handed attempt diving to the left, it would have been the catch of the season if taken. However the batsman was out very soon as Waters managed lure him out of the crease with a well-flighted delivery and Jamie completed a flawless game with the gloves as he picked up his 2nd stumping. The innings was closed on 113 in the next over as Manoj managed to york the no.11, beaten by the sheer lack of pace. Waters finished with figures of 3 for 44 off 9 and Manoj with 3 for 19 of 6.1. The bowling continued to impress for the Crusaders and it was made to look better due to the superb effort in the field by the likes of Travis Pittman.

With the skies darkening Anthony Barnett was sent out with the in form ‘Killer’, who has begun to some what justify his self chosen nick name, in order to ensure a quick finish. Damian continued where he left of the previous week and found the boundary repeatedly and was especially brutal on anything short pitched. Barney began with a swing and a miss that got him an earful from the bowler. The next ball disappeared over swimming pool , the one after was top edged to third man and he was back in the pavilion. The brisk run chase went on with Lee promoted up the order looking shaky initially but picking up the runs with regularity. The innings was brought to an abrupt end due to rain with the score on 59 for 1 off 11, Killer 35* and Lee 10*. It was time for Jenny to work her magic on the calculator and we ended up the rightful winners. The win was celebrated in the bar with some hearty tucker and drinks. Jenny had an easy time in adjudging man of the match for the game, Todd Johnsen, who sources say was seen celebrating the award late into the night in Wan Chai.

At Hong Kong Cricket Club: Crusaders 59-1 after 11 overs (D Kelleher 35*) beat Witherers 113 (T Johnsen 10-3-19-3, N Waters 10-0-53-3, M Cheruparambil 6.1-0-19-3) on a superior run-rate

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Tartars v. St George's at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Match washed out

TARTARS WON THE TOSS AND BATTED FIRST
SCORE : 200 ALL OUT IN 34.5 OVERS
FAROOQ SAEED SCORED : 60 NOT OUT
TAUSEEF BUKHARI : 30 RUNS
SANDEEP DUKHNADE : 23 RUNS
GOHAR ALI : 4 WICKETS
IFTIKHAR AHMED : 3 WICKETS

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Saracens v. Mainlanders at Po Kong Village Road
Result: Match washed out

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Round 5 - Saturday, 4th October 2003

Crusaders v. Saracens at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Crusaders won by 9 wickets

Saracens suffered their first defeat of the season to the resurgent Crusaders in the first derby of the season. Both teams were missing key players due to red cards and travel. Temogen won the toss on the Saracens behalf and decided to make the Crusaders field in the afternoon sun for the 4th game in a row. Crusaders welcomed Adrian Baker back into the side as the new ball partner for the in-form Imran Farcy. The two however did not seem to trouble the opening pair of Krish Kumar and Ravi Sujanani too much as the Saracens started at a steady rate putting on 60 for the 1st wicket. Beefy looked a shade of the bowler he was last season and was unusually expensive at the start. Crusaders were not helped by the fact that media star Nick Waters, playing in his first game, grassed a sitter off Ravi early in the game. Imran was rewarded for his persistence when he induced an edge off Ravi’s bat and the Vet completed the catch, Ravi having made 40 . Temogen came in next and looked in good touch as he negotiated the first over from Lamsam while Krish Kumar continued his wrist work creating unimaginable angles off the bat and picking up runs freely. With score having progressed into the 70’s Saracens lost their skipper as he edged Roy to the Vet for a 13 ball 0 a rarity in Saturday cricket.

COC, Burji was in at no.4 and did well to pick up singles and give the strike to the senior batsman. The seniors pushed the runs forward going for expansive drives as they had wickets in hand. Imran meanwhile had bowled a spell of 8 overs for 44 with 1 wicket. Lamsam picked up a second as Matt Aldridge pouched a tough chance with a one handed effort that saw Burji leave the crease having made 20, Roy had finished his quota of 10 overs, 2 for 40. Burji was replaced by the newer and improved version from the Shroff production line, Nigel, who batted well till he was run out on 11. Anil Uttamchandani was next in and he did not trouble the scorers as he holed out in search of quick runs, Jardine completing the catch off Manoj’s bowling. Beefy was re-introduced to the fray and he claimed the prize wicket of Krish who was on 80 batting through the pain of a damaged thumb. This left Daniel Fullgrabe (3*) and Rob Gill (15*) to finish off proceedings. After a good start the Saracens were restricted to 197 off the 35 thanks in large to a competent fielding display. It would have been a lot lower had the bowlers not conceded 30 extras. Beefy ended up with figures of 10 overs 1 for 56 and Manoj 7 overs 1 for 44.

The Crusaders innings was opened by Killer and Manoj while the new ball was taken by Temogen and Paul Pratt. Although Temogen managed to beat the bat on a few occasions the bowling lacked venom and the opening bats were able to hit the asking rate comfortably. Paul’s 4 over spell cost 35 while Temogen bowled 10 overs for 64.

Ravi was introduced into the attack and managed to put the ball in the right areas, but could not get a break through and his 4 overs went for 16. COC was also brought on to bowl his well flighted deceptive deliveries but the experiment only lasted an over as the batsmen refused to take chances. Daniel Fullgrabe took over from Burji with his brand of left arm spin, by this time the total had moved on to over 150 and the result looked certain. With the score on 172 Killer, who had taken his chance at the top to score a run a ball 80, committed suicide by trying to run a third taking on the fielders arm and was judged to be short of his crease. Having lost a few games from winning positions, Crusaders did not alter the batting order and Roy came in to face Nigel from the pavilion end. Nigel’s spell was cut short in an unfortunate manner as his attempt to take a catch smashed back down the track earned him a broken finger (heard from Burji that Nigel is recovering well and getting a lot of sympathy from the girls at school). Nigel had bowled 2.3 overs for 15 and was replaced by Ben Butt who ended up with figures of 1.3 overs for 8 runs. The game was finished with a six over midwicket by Roy off Dan’s 6th over the match ended with Roy not out on 14 and Manoj on 89 while Dan’s 5.2 overs came at a cost of 49 runs.

The win saw Crusaders march up to mid table and salvage their hopes of doing well this season, while Saracens remained near the top to stay in contention for the title.

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Crusaders 198-1 (D Kelleher 80, C Manoj 89*) beat Saracens 197-6 (K Kumar 80) by 9 wkts

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Tartars v. CCC at Po Kong Village Road
Result: Tartars won by 33 runs

CCC WON THE TOSS AND INVITED TARTARS TO BAT
TARTARS SCORED 216 FOR 7 IN 35 OVERS
Anoop Nainani scored 35 runs
Tauseef Bhukari scored 38 runs
Sharri malik scored 36 runs
Aftab Ahmed scored 56 not out (3 sixes )
R . MULLER TOOK 4 FOR 67 RUNS

CCC scored 183 runs in 35 overs for loss of 8 wickets
Mark Eames scored 40 runs
N. Mcdonald scored 53 runs
AFZAAL HAIDER TOOK 2 WICKETS FOR 26 RUNS
DEVANG SHAH TOOK 2 WIEKCETS FOR 39 RUNS
RESULTS : TARTAR WON THE MATCH BY 33 RUNS

At Po Kong Village Road (1): Tartars 216-7 (Anoop Nainani 35, T Bukhari 38, S Malik 36, Aftab Ahmad 56*; R Muller 10-0-67-4) beat CCC 183-8 (M Eames 40, N McDonald 53) by 33 runs

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Round 4 - Wednesday, 1st October 2003

Crusaders v. Gap Ramblers at Hong Kong Cricket Club
Result: Crusaders won by 5 wkts

The pain from the first 2 defeats was some what soothed by a comfortable 5 wicket win over the HKCC Gap Ramblers in last Wednesday’s Saturday league game. It was a good team effort that saw us cruise to a victory over the ramblers.  Another lost toss ensured that we were fielding, for the 3rd game in a row, in the afternoon sun. The game started with a sense of déjà vu for those who played at PKVR as the 1st over  by Imran (the express) was crashed for 10 runs, the left handed opening bat timing the ball sweetly off the front foot. Ham sandwich resumed his role as opening bowler and went for 4 off his first over. Having figured out that the left hander could not play short balls the express bowled a hostile spell that saw the batsman nurse a few bruises in the chest area unable to lay a bat on any. Lamsam picked up the 1st wicket, having beaten the batsmen repeatedly, with a short wide ball out side off that was cut hard to point where new comer Lee Worthington took a smart catch diving forward. With the skip gone Irish international, Eagleson strode in and blocked out the rest of the over. Immy continued the pressure from the other end. With runs drying up the Ramblers lost Eagleson to a slower one from Lamsam which he pushed gently to mid off. This opened the flood gates and the wickets started tumbling, Roy picking up another caught awkwardly at 2nd slip by Killer.

Farcy finally got the battered left hander out by following Roy’s example and bowling short out side off stump, the ball going straight to Killer who completed his 2nd catch of the day. Wicket number 5 was a straight forward caught and bowled for Imran off yet another short quick delivery. After bowling 5 overs Roy was replaced by Giovanni a.k.a the godfather, another new face to the side. He started off, swinging the ball prodigiously, however most landed off the wicket resulting in 5 wides in the first over, the six legitimate balls beating the batsman completely. Imran completed his first (and longest ever) spell with a maiden. Roy was brought back in and continued to trouble the batsmen. Gio was given another chance from Immy’s end and only bowled 3 wides and found the outside edge, unfortunately it sailed over slips for 4. So after an eventful 2 overs off which the only runs off the bat came off an edge Skip came on for a spell and picked up 3 for 21 off 5. Roy finished his 10 overs with figures of 3 for 36. With 2 wickets left skip turned to the experienced Jardine to rattle through a few overs and there was immediate success as he bowled a wicket maiden, Lamsam completing the catch at Mid off. Imran was brought back in to finish things off and he duly did so as the no. 11 skied an easy catch to point, his figures 3 for 29 off 8. The Ramblers had rambled on to 101.

A determined duo ,Killer and Jards opened up for us and started steadily, negotiating the Irish seamer and picking runs up from the other end. Killer was the first to fall as Eagleson, seemingly producing a lot off movement in the air, found the outside edge. Roy came in at No. 3 and started picking up boundaries straightaway. The partnership was beginning to flourish when Jards, was given out LBW , more so on the strength of the appeal than the laws pertaining to LBWs. The score had moved on into the late 20’s. Mathew Aldridge was the next man in and the youngster did not show any sign of nerves as he faced the international strike bowler at one point square driving him for 4. The runs were flowing along with Roy using his now patented slog sweep on the way to a bludgeoned 20. He was the next to go as his uppish cover drive was snapped by the cover fielder diving to his left and taking it one handed. Roy had seen us to the halfway mark of the run chase. The scoreboard kept ticking along with Dan Davern and Matt accumulating runs against the tidy bowling. The introduction of an off spinner put the brakes on slightly although Dan found the gap on the square leg fence to alleviate the pressure. A similar shot the next over found the fielder at square leg and Dan was out for 10. With 29 needed to win Matt was joined at the crease by U15 colleague Jamie Atkinson. The two youngsters exhibited sound technique in playing the spinner and the Ireland international, moving the score to 92 before Jamie was caught off a top edge. This brought the Vet into the equation and he finished the game off with a lofted drive over mid on. Matt was the star in the batting making an unbeaten 35. It was sweet to win our home game at the HKCC, first of many wins I am sure.

At Hong Kong Cricket Club: Crusaders 102-5 (M Aldridge 34*; R Eagleson 10-3-19-3) beat Gap Ramblers 101 (I Farcy 7.4-1-29-3, R Lamsam 10-1-36-3, Manoj C 5-1-21-3) by 5 wkts

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Saracens v. Witherers at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Saracens won by 9 wickets

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Saracens 175-1 (R Sharma 109*, T Hield 40*) beat Witherers 172 (Farrar 48; T Hield 10-0-40-5) by 9 wkts

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Sunday League

Round 6

Infidels v. Vagabonds

Templars v. LSW

Round 5

Templars v. Optimists

Infidels v. Pakistan Association

Round 4

Infidels v. Scorpions

Round 3

Templars v. Pakistan Association

Round 6 - Sunday, 26th October 2003

Infidels v. Vagabonds at Mission Road
Result: Infidels won by 52 runs

At Mission Road: Infidels 262-6 (D Kelleher 49, Manoj 37, T Bukhari 80* Ahmed 33, C Williams 33*) beat Vagabonds 210 (S Lama 100*; C Williams 13-5-50-4, R Lamsam 8-1-25-3) by 52 runs

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Templars v. LSW at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Templars won by 5 wkts

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Templars 160-5 (R Sharma 76*; T Dar 6-1-29-3) beat LSW 158 (T Dar 31, Mohanna Marzook 43; Mustafa 11-2-48-4, R Sharma 6.2-1-13-3) by 5 wkts

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Round 5 - Sunday, 19th October 2003

Templars v. Optimists at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Templars won by 132 runs

With nearly a full side out (minus TR and Scanners) the difference showed against a lackluster Optimists side short of their talisman Steads. In fact they were beaten by a good team performance which reflected in the team spirit this week.

Having won the toss again and lacking at least three players (including the international opening pair) the Captain elected to bat first on a reported low slow wicket. Rahul after his century the day before played all around a delivery from the Dizzie Gillespie look alike and was followed soon after by Ravi who missed Jammo's slower bowl which unfortunately didn’t miss his off stump. Sharri batting at four as Barney was still on his way from the Panda Hotel, and Mark Kratzman was in a cab after forgetting his eyes, also didn’t trouble the scorers to much or the bowlers and departed soon after his arrival at the crease. Having arrived Barney himself was still perhaps thinking of being in bed and played back to a ball that came back in and keep low and return to the pavilion for a smoke and a rest. At 40 for 4 and most of the top order having departed things were not looking good, however the tennis pro (Kratzman of Davis Cup proportions) and the Skipper repaired the damage with some sound and sensible batting. The score was over the 100 mark when Mark was given out caught down the leg side by Callow apparently having edge it and then was quickly followed by the Skipper who was apparently LBW. The demise of Azzam (again showing some skill with the bat) led to the dynamic duo of Zubair and Jamshaid, however their partnership didn’t last long as Zub’s chipped one to long off and so we were looking down the barrel at 116 for 7. Dewang joined Jamshaid and what followed was a sequence of hitting very rarely or never seen at the KCC. Jammie went ballistic as only Jammie can. Mal Costain was hit for 36 in one over which included 5 sixes (and four lost balls, 3 into the PLA who must have thought someone was bombing them, the last one went over the building and into the parade ground; one was lost down Cox’s Road) 1 four and two wides. Jammie reached his 50 in 14 balls and 18 minutes, but the replacement of Mal with Dizzie Gillespie didn’t stop the hitting. In a far more controlled manner Jammie with timing and an awful lot of power took the bowler apart hitting more maximums and keeping his team mates busy trying to find the balls lost and spares. Dewang was playing a supportive roll and weighed in with a few of his trademark swipes as well. Jammie’s hundred came off a delightful but powerful leg side boundary (on the deck) and was completed in 41 balls and 67 minutes with 11 glorious sixes and 3 fours. His delight was immense and he soluted all in the ground and anyone else who was in the vicinity. His demise was tame, stumped, perhaps much to the relief of the Jordan Path walkers and the PLA, but his impact on the game was total. Dewang added a few more swipes (one into Cox’s Road) before Mustafa was runout in the 43rd over!! God knows what we would have scored had Jammie stayed in, but one things for sure we would have runout of spares.

Batting was never going to be easy for the Optimists up against our attack, and so it proved as after ten overs as they were 2 for twenty odd. Zubair was outstanding with both pace, line and movement and most of the batsman couldn’t lay much on him all day. The catching also matched the bowling with Barney and the Captain snapping up sharp chances. Jamshaid bowled well but for no reward and was replaced by Mustafa who again showed his potential bowling a variety of off and leg cutters mixed with slower balls and got Callow with one of the softest appeals ever. The only Optimists who showed some measure to the bowling were Tiku and Shandy. Tiku was judged to LBW at first drinks break but most in the ground thought it was a rather harsh decision. Shandy (Mr Stewart) after his century the day before played well enough until falling into the leg side trap to another smart catch by the Captain. What followed was not much to talk about except that Zubair got his first five wicket hall in 2 years and Rahul bowled well. Zubair’s effort was truly one of control and effort on a low flat wicket with an old ball in the end (the one we started with was lost in the racks of the stands for the Sixes). He troubled all the batsman and finished with figures of 13 overs, 3 maidens 5 for 34, and is no doubt, at the KCC, considered still the best bowler in Hong Kong contrary to certain view points.

At Kowloon Cricket Club: Templars 273 (G Jardine 38, D Shah 33, M Jamshaid 104; M Jamieson 13-1-52-3) beat Optimists 141 (T Patidar 30, A Stewart 35; M Zubair 13-3-34-5) by 132 runs
NB. M Jamshaid 50 runs off 14 balls in 18 mins. 100 runs off 41 balls in 67 mins

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Infidels v. Pakistan Association at Mission Road
Result: Infidels lost by 5 wkts

At Mission Road: Pakistan Association 129-5 (S Malik 68, M Jamshaid 35*; A Haider 11-0-31-3) beat Infidels 126 (D Kelleher 30, C Manoj 38, B Tauseef 37; S Malik 11-1-26-5) by 5 wkts

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Round 4 - Sunday, 12th October 2003

Infidels v. Scorpions at Po Kong Village Road
Result: Infidels lost by 17 runs

At Po Kong Village Road: Scorpions 156 (R Eagleson 59*; Manoj 13-0-40-5) beat Infidels 139 (D Kelleher 30, Manoj 30; R Eagleson 13-0-39-6, Vera 13-1-52-3) by 17 runs

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Round 3 - Sunday, 5th October 2003

Templars v. Pakistan Association at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Templars lost by 7 wkts

Our luck ran out last week, luck in the sense that we couldn't raise eleven players and had to play with ten. Various stories of U19 players didn't materialise and even Lal said he would have played along with the CoC who nearly made it to the crease but for the late arrival of his creams. Frustration and shaking of heads doesn't describe the half of it and Alvin's piece the day after doesn't even scratch the surface. I could go on and on about the problems and commitment, but frankly I am bored of it and I'm sure everyone else is, and if players who are reading this report haven't got the message yet then frankly you are ‘deaf, dumb and blind kids' as Elton John would say. Needless to say I don't relish making phone calls for days on end and trying to organise teams on the morning of the game. You will be glad to know that we hope Jammie Shoulders, Zubair, Barney and Don will all be available in the coming week, but I ask all of you gentlemen this is a prestige sporting club with unrivalled facilities in Hong Kong, its not a play ground so act like men not little boys in your attitudes and conduct, in a phrase "pull your fingers out"!!

We played on plastic as the grand canyon like cracks of the grass wicket would have been hard to enough to handle with balls going everywhere plus the fact that someone may have fallen down one of them and required rope rescue.

The one thing that did go right on the day, apart from the curry at lunch and of course Ravi's batting, was that I won the toss and we batted. In past encounters batting first against the Pakistani Association is the way to go and so with no hesitation myself and Kratzman opened. Mark was still playing 3rd Grade Sydney cricket shots when out pulling in the third over. By the looks of things his time will come especially when his bat has been restrung. Ravi at 3 now adays is a lot more daunting prospect for bowling attacks than in past years. Rumesh has sorted out his back lift, he exumes confidence and determination, his timing and power are prevalent. More than can be said for yours truly who was still probably thinking about who else could be got to play after succumbing to another ex-KCC non-payer, Jamshaid Khan, who bowled as well as anyone had ever seen and certainly far better than at anytime when he played for us. 34 for 2 and TR the last recognised batsman enter the fray. TR suffering from acute tennis elbow that facilitated drugs, was seeing it like a football and preceded to cart the bowling all over the shop and over the boundaries, but unfortunately he checked a shot on 26 and offered square leg an easy catch. All could see his frustration when he reached the pavilion and so did the children in the playroom as his gloves bounced off the wall. Sharri came and went and Ravi was joined by Dewang with the statement from the Captain to "stay in" and support Ravi. Ravi by this time was reaching fifty with patience and some truly magical drives and cuts, which even Saleem Malik was clapping. Unfortunately my slow but clear instructions (I would say made in English) went by the wayside as Dewang tried to upcut the first ball he faced. TR advised to let him play the way he wanted and I and Ravi simply shook our heads again!! Eventually after playing some good shots Dewang succumbed - 109 for 5. Azzam not fearing the bowling wearing his trade mark black cap strode to the wicket and what ensued was the best partnership of our innings. He played with confidence against all the bowling especially working the ball of his legs, and only the infusion of some potentially spiked water and second drinks break lead to his demise – 163 for 6. Bob didn't last long, Naresh played a short but good supportive role and finally Ravi going for runs with only Mustapha left saw us post 177 for 9 in the 42nd over, innings closed as I said the CoC's kit hadn't arrived. Not enough I'm afraid.

Note to team captains don't feed the Pakistani Association with decent curry at lunch as they murder your bowling. Murder or good old fashion biffing describes Tahir's batting. Having step off the plane the day before (obviously the Pakistani Association felt that they needed more fire power against Templars) he gorged himself on the young opening attack which however hard they tried the ball still went to the boundary some times at alarming speed. The lack of bowling, apart from most other things, was a severe short coming in our side and the only bright spot was Dewang's good spell and some good overs from Ravi. No point wasting time we lost poorly in the 24th over and the only positive we can take from the game is this is the rock bottom of the barrel we have reached and things will get better!

- Jards

At Kowloon Cricket  Club: Templars 183 (Sujanani 77, TR 26, Devang 21, Azzam 23; Najeeb 3 for 19, Ilyas 2 for 25) lost to Pakistan Association 184 for 3 (Tahir 53, Nasir 70, Saleem Malik 31*; Dewang 2 for 61) by 7 wkts

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