Sat Cup final

Sat Cup final. Match report.

Saturday 30th April Kai Tak prepared to take on the Kowloon Cricket Club Saracens in the final of the Saturday Cup Competition at Mission Road.

The Tak had 2 years earlier contested and won the Plate Competition otherwise known as the "also ran competition" and so now this was our chance to finally shine and come out on top in this years Cup competition which started with 21 teams competing for the big prize a little more than a month ago.

Kai Tak again had a very strong looking batting lineup and after having lost the toss were again surprised at the oppositions' decision to field first, one can only assume it was a decision based on the weather forecast for the day, cloudy and isolated rain patches.

The combination of Dave Ellis and Steve Campbell again opening the innings to the delight of the crowd. A very quick start indeed with the score racing to 44 in 5 overs at which point Ellis was dismissed rather unfortunately by way of a deflection off the keepers pads and adjuded stumped for 7. Patidar came in at No 3, looking forward to watching the master blaster at the other end who was quite literally taking the bowlers apart and it was hugely dissapointing that only 2 balls after walking out to join him Campbell was caught on the deep square boundary with his score of 41.

So with 2 quick wickets and the score on 48 a partnership had to be started to get the Tak going again. Patidar along with Malcolm Brown set about doing just that forging out a 83 run partnership to take the score to 131 for 2 after 18 overs. Patidar then reached for a ball,trying to force a run and was clean bowled for 44. Brown however was set and back to his best so there was no need to worry until the heat and exhaustion took a toll on his calf muscle. Ellis padded up again to act as a runner and sadly Browny was out caught for 52 only 14 runs after Patidar had departed. With Brown in the pavilion it was then up to the engine room to deliver the goods and take us home, but this was not to be. 5 wickets fell for only 22 runs and Kai Tak were really up against the wall.The score now was 202 for 9 with 6 overs to go.There was huge concern that we wouldn't reach a target we would be comfortable but with Mohsin Naqvi who was batting beautifully and Dave Belcastro the crowd were in for a treat. Both batsmen kept thier heads and showed great presence of mind to bat out the remaining overs. Both played the ball on its' merit and carted anything loose bringing much needed boundaries and deft little shots to steal the singles. It was an amazing partnership of quality cricket shots which created a partnership of 44 for the last wicket and took our score to 246 for 9.

Mohsin Naqvi finishing not out on 45 and Dave Belcastro on 23.

The usual talk at the break and the Tak were ready to defend the total set. The plan was to open with Brett Morley and Chris Beattie, the latter using the overcast conditions for swing. Beattie in his his first over decided to test Hong Kong player Ravi Sujanani with a bouncer and quite incredibly found the top edge which sailed high and down into the safe hands of Don Miller, a great start and something to build on. Unfortunately just as soon as we had started the heavens opened for a brief period and we left the field only to return a few minutes later. The water became a factor nullifying the swing characteristics of the ball and Beattie had to be replaced by Chris Williams.

KCC batsman Chaudhuri began very strongly and got better and better as he took to task the Tak bowlers. Although seeming like they were off to a flyer, they matched but never exceeded the rate required of 7 an over, but panic was setting in a bit. Just be patient and bowl the right lines and opportunity will come, and that it did when Chauduri on 70 smashed the ball to mid wicket. Patidar held out his hands in dismay, turned his head and closed his eyes and for that was rewarded with a bruised hand and a dropped ball, certainly not what the side needed to see but nevertheless the game continues. Dave Belcastro had replaced opener Morley who had bowled well for no reward and it was to the teams delight that shortly after being dropped Chaudhuri presented another opportunity from a rising delivery which was very well caught by Mohsin Naqvi at point. He exited on 80 and at that point shortly after the drinks break the game did a 180. Don Miller bowled superbly along with a fantastic second spell from Chris Beattie and short bursts from Williams and Morley.

All along the fielders were in the right spot and all that was required was to stop the boundaries. They didn't manage many of them apart from the odd loose ball prefering instead to hit singles, quite simply because I think that's all they could do. Wickets began to fall at regular intervals and with that the run rate required increased until when it reached 13 an over the writing was on the wall. Chris Williams clean bowling the number 11 batsman to the sheer delight of all involved.

KCC Saracens were bowled out for 184 runs, Kai Tak winning by 62 runs.

It was a solid team effort by all who played and I must mention Andrew Fitzhardinge who on finding out Brown was injured went home to get his kit so that he could field as a 12th man. Thanks Bobbi for driving him and Al Noble for getting ready to go field should Fitzy not make it back in time. Well Fitzy made it in time and fielded superbly and it was really pleasing that he should take a great catch at Long Off.

Bowling figures :

B Morley 9 overs 0 wkts 39 runs

C Beattie 6 overs 3 wkts 36 runs

C Williams 8 overs 3 wkts 53 runs

D Belcastro 5 overs 1 wkt 28 runs

D Miller 5 overs 2 wkts 26 runs

If I were to pick a Man of the Match I couldn't, it would have to be shared between Mohsin Naqvi and Dave Belcastro for the way they wielded the willow. There is a big psychological difference between having to defend 200 or 246. Great stuff guys.

Thanks to Steve Brisbane for all he has done this season, he was presented with a signed bat from the players and a Waterman Pen with the engraving "GO THE TAK!"...Enjoy Steve and see you soon.

Thanks to those who turned up to support us on the day, Bobbi, Emma, Al Noble, Leigh Beaman and Keith Reynolds, it really was appreciated.

Kai Tak extends it's best wishes to Brett Morley and Steve Campbell who are getting married in a couple of weeks time to Olivia and Bobbi respectively.

Yvonne Ellis has kindly offered to organise the Kai Tak dinner which will be held on the last weekend in August, just prior to the commencement of the 2005/2006 season. I'll leave the rest to Yvonne.

Well done to everybody who has represented Kai Tak this season, it is because of all who have played throughout this long season that we were successful yesterday. No one man bands, everybody has mucked in and that is why we are a good team no matter who plays.

Till next season

Best Regards,

Tiku

P.s If anybody wants to view the Cup it is on display at Campbell's house on the piano in front of Bobbi's photograph.