HKU vs Kai Tak @ HKU Sat 8^th Oct 2011

The day got off to a fantastic start with all players at the ground by 12pm, several got there just after 11am for an extra net session. Perhaps the skippers bollocking after the last match was heard? We had 2 new debutants in Jon Whitehead and Jason King playing their first official games for the Tak.

The mood was good and Kai Tak won the toss and elected to bat first while HKU were still trying to get 11 players onto the ground, they only managed 10 until the HKU skipper asked us if they could field their scorer who wasn’t listed in the players list, looking at the scorer put down his beer at 1pm the Tak Skipper agreed in the spirit of the game, oh how irony would bite…..

The Tak got off to a great start with Dwight anchoring Tiku who was a man on a mission, plundering HKU all over the ground  with trademark shots from the classy Mr. Cricket. The wicket was 2 paced with a few bubbles appearing under the astro causing the ball to prop and bounce which ultimately saw Tiks edge behind for an aggressive 21. After playing some big shots the Skipper soon followed for 31, (caught by the scorer he allowed to play) but the Tak were going along well at about 7 an over. Al Williams and Mohs batted along solidly for a while until they both fell LBW for 22 and 12 respectively followed soon by Willow caught trying to push the run rate along. Again the Tak top order promised so much and failed to capitalise on a good start. Enter Fidel… Having been finally promoted in the order Fidel played his natural game playing classic Fidel wristy shots enjoyed a superb 94 run stand with the inform Ben White. Whitey contributing another solid effort of 34 on the 2 paced pitch showing the top order how its done.  Fidel ended up with an outstanding 64 NO helping to propel the Tak to 215 for 7. A very defendable total.

CRW and the Boss started the defence in great fashion and Chris finally got the first breakthrough. After some great by fielding the Tak, the other opener was run out aided by some poor running from the batsmen. Al “Trendy” Noble took a good solid catch off the skippers bowling to remove the pinch hitting Tahir and the Tak could smell blood. The skipper removed the next 2 batsmen in short order with a caught and bowled and a great sharked catch in front of Willows face by Al Williams keeping wicket. Tak debutant Jon Whitehead was steaming in wearing his lycra suit and was soon rewarded by a spectacular tumbling catch from Trendy again at Mid on to give Jon his maiden Tak wicket and Trendy the catch of the season (so far) nomination. After some lusting rear guard batting from S. Rao (51) the Tak bowlers wrapped up the tail with Fidel, the Skipper, Mohs claiming the final few wickets to have HKU all out for 140 in the 28^th over.

It was a magnificent victory to the Tak. The entire team contributing in the field and some great stand out individual performances. Fidel was a worthy winner of the Uncle Russ Man of the match award with his fantastic 64 NO. Other notables were Ben White’s 34, Dwights 31 runs and 4/36 from 8’, Chris Williams 1/11 from 5 overs and Jon Whitehead with 1/16 from 5. Al Noble Catch of the Season nominee and Mohs Naqvis 2 catches and superb fielding efforts. Mug of the day was the socks and sandal wearing Jason King.