Kai Tak vs KCC Tartars @ KCC, 28 Jan
The sun was shining, the Tak was out early and the KCC groundstaff had prepared another great deck, it was promising to be a great day of cricket. We were without 4 of our regular top 5 batsmen but we still had a good side to take on the 5th placed Tartars.
After losing the toss we were asked to field and Nick Wood (0/49, 1 maiden) started the match bowling great line and length match by Willo (0/54) at the other end. The Tartars were being frustrated and only had 17 on the board after 5 overs. Our first breakthrough came in the 7th over when Mohs dived full stretch at point and fired the ball back to Nick who completed a brilliant run out. Nick and Chris continued to bowl well but went unrewarded. Graham Tree (2/22) replaced Willo and rediscovered his rhythm bowling some absolute Jaffas and was quickly rewarded in his 2nd over when Nick Hawke, returning to the Tak for the first time this season, took a sensational low catch at first slip. Jon Whitehead (3/10, 1 maiden), minus the lucky tights, claimed an LBW in his opening over completing a wicket maiden. In his 3rd over he strayed down leg side but close enough for the batsman to get a fine glance that the Skipper, filling in behind the stumps, took down leg side. In the same over Willo held a sharp chance to see the Tartars 5/81 at drinks. After drinks Darren Fryer (1/34), replaced Jon and got a wicket in his 2nd over with Tak debutant Pete Williams hanging on at Long on. Tartars were 7/90 after 20. Graham took his second wicket again getting an edge behind this time the skipper taking a low diving catch to his right. The skipper (3/22, 3 maidens) then handed the gloves to Mohsin and started off with a maiden to Hong Kong National team member Baba Hayat. This unfortunately spurred him to unleash on the Tak bowlers sending them to all boundaries and destroying figures. Willo came back on and went for 29 in his last two overs and Nick Wood who also came back on went for 20 in his last over. The Skipper went for 22 in his second over but stayed on to get a double wicket maiden with a great reflex catch by Willo and another catch by Darren and then get Hayat (93) caught on the boundary by Pete to finish the innings. Hayat took the Tartars from 8/133 in the 29th over to 204 all out in the 34th. It was a furious display of hard hitting that should have been curtailed about 60 runs earlier when Chicky (0/12) dropped him on the long off boundary from Willos bowling and Jon Whitehead also dropped him, after replacing Chicky at long off, knocking the ball over the line for another 6. It was more than theyt should have got but very gettable.
We started steadily with the Skipper and Chris putting together a 55 run opening stand with both batsmen playing sensibly but with the run rate climbing the skipper tried to cut the young off spinner only to get an edge behind for 38. Willo followed 3 overs later being adjudged LBW for 13 that would have been plumb if the wickets were 2 foot higher. The run rate had dropped dramatically and we had to put the foot down. Darren joined Mohs at the crease and the 2 batted well after slow starts. Darren was started to fire and find the boundary when he pulled a full toss in front of his face to the deep backward square boundary where he was caught and the square leg umpire didn’t call the no-ball for 23. By this stage the Tak was getting further behind the run rate putting more pressure on the incoming batters. Nick Wood was next in and made a quick fire 16 including the only 6 of the Taks innings until he was bowled trying to pick up the run rate. Mohs was next being caught for 20. Fidel went for a golden duck and Graham Tree was run out trying to steal quick runs for 3. Pete Williams was striking the ball well but couldn’t find the boundary and remained not out on 12. Chicky went for 3 getting bowled and Nick Hawke saw the innings close not out for 8.
Some grassed chances in the field and too many dot balls (See attached scoresheet!) made the task too great and the Tak fell 60 runs short compiling 8/144 off the 35 overs. Most went back to the Globe to commiserate.
Uncle Russ Man of the match went to the Skipper, 3/22 and 38 runs.
Other notables were Jon Whitehead 3/10, Graham 2/22, Darren Fryer 23 and 1/34.
Mug went to Chicky, mainly for dropping Baba.
Thanks to Trendy for being 12th man and scorer, Simon Wall, Duane and Fi Bye for supporting us.
Uncle Russ Man of the Match - Dwight Johnson
The dot ball hall of shame