Gents,

 

Saturday 24th February the Tak turned out at PKVR 2 all primed for a giant killing performance against the current number two side, the HKCC Nomads.

 

What a game it turned out to be, full of....well full of everything and in some cases things that one will probably never ever see again on a cricket field!

 

So down to business and the Tak won the toss, under the vigilant eye of Campbell, and duly chose to bat first. Patidar and Morley opening up the innings with the simple plan of being positive and attacking from the outset. Both men succeeded in thier task racing to 73 after 11 overs at which point Patidar, riding his luck once too often, gifted a return catch to the bowler out for 42 runs.

Brown replaced the skipper and hopefully he would be able to find some sort of form. As sometimes happens with Browny, he gets dropped early in his innings and goes on to make the oppo pay and that is exactly how it played out. After being dropped by the keeper he went on to smash everyone everywhere with Morley providing great support at the other end until he provided a catch to be dismissed for 46. Enter Campbell to carry on the tempo, his third ball faced being smashed for six signifying his intentions. Both batters were ruthless with anything off line, Browns innings finally coming to an end having scored 68 off only 47 deliveries.Campbell was flying at this stage and with Doubleday 3 and Poole 7 coming and going quickly had to keep the acceleration going. Several big sixes later he succumbed being bowled for a fantastic 84 runs off only 45 deliveries, great knock!. Gordon and Kiwi inspiration Dave Elliot mustered 5 runs between them at the death, the Tak ending up on a hefty 272 for 6.

 

Right, having done things right up to this stage a very average performance would have seen us home with plenty of runs to spare. We sadly slipped below the average part and this is what happened.

Odendaal opened up with Parker and both did well, the Nomads however were keeping up with rate. Belcastro replaced Odendaal and after taking time to get bedded in again did well keeping the oppo under the rate required. In fact all the bowlers did alright the inflated figures not telling the true story. Why? Well we had a complete nightmare in the field!!!! Never more was the phrase 'catches win matches' more apt. The Tak disintegrated before our very eyes, each drop costing us dearly.

After the first drop, no problems hang in there, second drop, stay calm they need 273 to win, more opportunities will present themselves. Gordon finally takes a good catch, thank christ for that....oh no wait he's gone over the line..six runs. Drinks, quick talk consisting of ' guys they still need ten an over hang in there!' . Morley was bowling well and again another catching opportunity completely missed. Patidar enticed a catch from their match winner only to see it go down, two more at square leg missed......STOP WHAT THE F##K IS GOING ON??.  As I said it was pure disintegration in a big game. After all of that Belcastro returned to complete a great spell to put on the brakes including taking 3 wickets in one over however the danger man was still there. The overs ticked down with Nomads six down. After our complete debacle in the field we were still there with an over to go with the match seemingly won. Nomads needed 30 runs off the last over to win with everyone on the fence. Morley was saved up to bring us home and this is how it went.

 

6...+....4.....+....6....+.....6....+.....6.....+......4       =   32

 

You will go a lifetime and not see that, it was crisp hitting and literally tore the heart out of the Tak,

Nomads winning by 4 wickets.

 

In Saturday cricket anything can happen, and we were there to see it first hand. It really hurts but you know what, it's only a game. We were poor in the field....simple as that. Nobody tries to drop catches or misfield we all know that, so let's get over it and move on. We've all done it before so it's nothing new to any of us. Extras were 24 not helping our cause either so the discipline just wasn't there.

Now, there is some lost confidence in our ranks so if anybody know a good psychiatrist please pass thier details to those concerned.

 

Best banter of the day:

 

Morley upon reflection of his worst sporting moment ever " I don't know what it was Tiks I just couldn't seem to land the ball in that last over"

Reply from Doubleday " that's because they kept landing in Mong Kok!!!"

 

Priceless!!!!