Kai Tak Vs Lamma, Plate Final 22nd April.

Lamma 9 / 266, in 34 overs.   B.Haskett 10-4-78

Kai Tak 9 / 252, in 33 overs.   D.Belcastro 45*, S.Wall 40, S.Campbell 28.

Kai Tak win on run rate  due slow over rate by Lamma!!!

What a thriller, in a game with more ups and downs than a Disney Land ride. After losing the toss and being sent to field on one of those stinking hot Sat avos, it was always going to be tough on the bowlers!! Opening up with Chris Williams and Nick Hawke, Chris finding a good line and length straight away. Nick was back to his old self, just trying to hit the pitch was seeming a difficult task, however when he did he was causing the batsmen trouble. They got off to a very solid start with an 87 run partnership for the first wicket. A change saw Mohsin come on with Fidel and Mohs struck in his 2nd over, which was a bit of relief as his first went for 18!! All bowlers were looking very grim and the wides were piling up and causing us to bowl so many extra deliveries that we were starting to run very late on the over rate. Lamma were starting to get on top of us and things were looking a bit gloomy but then a couple of wickets put us well and truly back in the game. We soon had them 7/213 and looking like we would restrict them well. Unfortunately, their No 6 went to town and smashed a quick fire 55. Brad Haskett although being hit around a bit kept a steady line and length and was rewarded with 4 wickets. Dave Elliot behind the stumps doing a great job with 2 catches and a stumping. Chris at one stage had figures of 7-1-24, but his last couple went for 20 runs finishing with 9-1-54, a very good bowling effort considering the conditions. He would have been rewarded even more if a certain Captain who was supposed to be at long off actually be at long off. Seeing the ball fly over his head and actually go for a four was not something that we needed!!! In the end they finished with a very good 266, something that would be tough to chase but not out of our reach. We ended up bowling 34 wides which is just under 6 overs extra to them, how we managed to get our 34 overs in, in the time was beyond me. (The umpires gave us an over grace considering the conditions and ball chasing we had to do)

So in to bat. George "Jem" Edmunds back in the opening slot with Mohs. We  were soon in a bit of trouble at 2-31 with both openers going cheaply. Carl "Bester"McGann and i put on a valuable 47 runs leading up to drinks, yours truly hitting a 6 over point to get off the mark. I was feeling like it could have been my day. Carl went for a fine 25 and unfortunately i went not long after for 28. It was the start of the collapse for us and soon we were 7 for 147 and i must admit i was typing out the bad news sms to send out. Then the Tak kicked into gear. After toying with them for long enough, our big guns went out to do the job the others couldnt. Simon Wall, still on a high from hid big hitting in the semis went to town on their bowlers hitting an entertaining 40 off very few balls. He was soon joined by Fidel who as we know shines in these finals. Fidel hitting and equally impressive 45 not out to give us a sniff of victory. Bruce "dont call me Guy" Seymour stayed around with Fidel to see us through to the end. Lamma knowing they were also having a very slow over rate decided to bring back on their quickie who even bowled off his long run up!!! This obviously blew their chances off getting the required 34 overs in time. However they still thought the rules would be still in their favour. This was to prove a rude shock to them when the head umpire let it be known that the run rate would be calculated without using extras, like wides!!!!!! As it turned out we had a slightly superior run rate off the bat and we were awarded the Plate!!!!!!! Their team highlighted to the umpire that he was using the bad weather ruling and it didnt apply here, however the umpire was adamant and he stuck to his guns.(He is also one of the head umpires in Hong Kong). The lamma team let it be known that they were going to appeal the decision during the week. Fair enough in some respect but i do feel no matter what the ruling is, is that they should have been penalised for the slow over rate and by not doing anything about it. To make matters worst, they even brought on the quickie who consumed even more time off his long run!!! We did the right thing and kept Brad on for his 10 to get through the overs, i would have liked to rotate the bowling a bit more but we couldnt. So there it stands, at the moment we are the holders of the Plate, although heaven only knows where it is and whoever has it can you at least let me know.

We finished up back at Stauntons with much banter, getting through the $2500 bar tab in quick time. I unfortunately got mug of the day even though i made it clear that noone whould get it, i went to the toilet for 5 seconds and by the time i got back the boys had had their vote!!! Oh well.

I gave a joint man of the match award to Fidel and Simon for their great batting at the end and really winning it for us!!! Well done guys, great to watch!!!!

Thanks to Tim White who came along and scored.

Go the Tak!!!!!