Match Report - 14th Jan Kai Tak vs Nomads at HKCC
It was a big match that both teams were pumped for but unfortunately we were without the Vice Captain Mitch, who as well as being fresh from his maiden victory as a Kai Tak skipper last week was also fresh from surgery to put his collar bone back together.
The undefeated Nomads sat just below us on the ladder behind only on NRR. It was damp and overcast and the HKCC had prepared a lovely turf pitch for the match prompting the skipper to want to bowl first and hopefully let pitch and the ball do a number on the Nomads but we lost the toss and were sent in to bat.
The Skipper was out early swinging in his trademark fashion which brought Tiku to the crease to join Al Williams. The pair batted superbly both showing deft touch along with brute force and together put on a 94 run partnership until Tiku was bowled for 39 which included 6 fours and a massive six.
Next to join Al was Steve Campbell, who after a slow start found some great timing including a lovely drive of his big toe which ended up being fractured. In true Tak spirit he batted on after complaining sufficiently.
Nomads needed to stem the runs so brought Toby Brown on and had allmost immediate effect in the 22nd over getting Al to chase a wide one straight to Swannie in the covers. Al showed his true class in his innings and made a sublime 60. Unfortunately for the Nomads this brough Big Bad Bob Ward to the crease. Bob was on a mission from the get go and entertained all watching with some big lusty shots all over the park. Between Bob and Steve they had a very quick fire 43 run partnership until Steve finally fell to Toby after making a good 30 including 12 quick singles, half of which were made after fracturing his toe!
Bob was still belting the Nomads while Darren and Willo fell cheaply, both trapped in front by Toby, then Mohs came in and struck a couple of great fours before getting caught, including a lovely square cut and his trade mark down on one knee but instead of blocking sent it flying back over the bowlers head. Bob finally got caught on 56 including 5 fours and 3 sixes and after getting his 50 twice! Graham Tree fresh from his 50 last week went in at number 9 and could only add 1 to the score followed quickly by Jon Whitehead who finally got out and got an average stranding Nick Wood not out and the Tak all out in the 35th over for a very reasonable 237.
The Nomads boast a long and strong batting lineup and started in a blaze with the opener belting Willo to the boundary of the second ball and taking 11 off the first over. Willo struck back in the 3rd over with the skipper taking a catch at mid on. Nomads 1/19. In his next over he claimed the #3 who was brilliantly caught by Graham Tree leaping high in the covers. Nomads were 2/23.
Nick Wood opended up from the other end and was on song early and bowled 5 really tight overs including a maiden piling the pressure on the Nomads. Unfortunately he went wicketless but played a huge part in Willo's 2 wickets.
Jon Whithead replaced Willo and after getting smashed for four from his first delivery came back well and bowled the offending batsmen 3 balls later. He very nearly had the Nomads skipper Swannie soon after except Dwight grassed a chance at mid on. He soon after had the remaining opening batsmen clean bowled and the Nomads 4/66 after 13. Jon bowled a great 4 over spell of 2/19.
This brought Toby Brown to the crease with Swannie who was begining to make the Tak pay for the dropped chance. The skipper came on to replace Nick Wood and bowled tightly putting more pressure on the Nomads. In his second over he had Toby Brown defending and proding and got his edge in the last ball of the the over giving Al and easy catch behind the stumps. Nomads 5/67 and the dangerous Brown back in the sheds, the Tak were firing and the run rate was climbing. This brought angry pills to the crease and he and Swannie started a batting revival.
Bob came on just before drinks bowling his offies and struck in the second over after drinks with an awesome catch by Mohs at point diving full length to the ball, finally getting rid of the Nomads skipper. 6/92 after 19.
The skipper struck again in his 5th over trapping Angry Pills in front. Nomads 6/97. Unfortunately the skipper stayed on for 2 overs too many going from 2/20 after five to 2/50 after 7. Jon Whitehead came back on and had similar results going from 2/8 off 3 to 2/32 of five. Graham Tree came on a similarly went for 14 of his only over. The #8 and #9 batsmen had put on a whirlwind 70 run partnership taking the Nomads to 7/167 with 8 overs remaining. It was gonna be close!
The then skipper turned to Bob and Tiku to put the brakes on and after Tiku's first delivery going for six things got tense but Mr. Cricket came back in his usual fashion and induced the batsmen to skying a shot well taken by Mohs in the covers. 8/167 after 27. Bob continued bowling well and was unlucky with Al grassing a few chances behind the stumps and only conceded 3 runs in his last 3 overs. Pressure was back on the Nomads. In the 29th over the batsman made a huge blunder and after a great piece of fielding by Graham had got himslef run out. 9/169. On the second last ball of TIkus over the next batsman made a similar error and Mohs fielded the ball back to TIku and was run out and the Tak went crazy, Nomads all out for 169 in the 29th over and the Tak win by 68 runs to claim a bonus point and top of the league ladder and 4 points clear of second!
It was a great team effort with everyone contributing to the win. We hung around and enjoyed the Nomads hospitality before heading down to celebrate with popped collars at the Globe.
Notables were Al (60), Tiku (39), Steve playing on with a broken toe! (30) and Bobs (56) batting,Nick and Bob's miserly bowling and Graham and Mohs fielding.
Thanks to Mitch for scoring with one arm, and all our supporters, Becs, Lacchie, Sarah, Lauren, Andy, Jamie, Winston and for Changi taking 12th man. (Sorry if I forgot anyone)
Man of the Match was Bob Ward 56 and 1/11. It was fantastic to see the Bob of old batting again!
Mug of the match Dwight: For the shoes, dropping Swannie, Telling Darrent to bowl then changing his mind and getting hit for 15 runs in the over and whatever other dribble you guys thought of........