KAI TAK VS HKU, 19th Nov.

Kai Tak 171,  S.Campbell 49, M.Poole 43, M.Naqvi 30

HKU 160,  M.Naqvi 10-4-35, D.Belcastro 9-2-45, G.Edmunds 4.5-2-45, J.White 6-2-28

As a new day dawned, the scene was set for another epic battle against top of the ladder HKU and more worrying, "The Butt". Will he wont he as rumours spread of his pending arrival from Pakistan. Sure enough, flown in from Pakistan after trialling for Pakistan A, here he was facing the music against his old nemisis in Kai Tak. We lost the toss but were sent in to bat so they could hold off till their Butt turned up!! So it was, sent out first the new openers in Fitzy and Mohsin to make the most of the Buttless HKU for 5 overs. Off to a pretty good start but unfortunately Fitzy holed out to one for 4 runs. In came the ever impressive Campbell, well in the nets anyway. Yet to show any form on the field other than sledging his fellow players, it was high time that the chairman of selectors showed a bit of ooomph. Mohsin left shortly after Campbell's arrival but he contributed a quick fire 30 runs. Mat "The Poo" Poole then came in and found himself with some pleasant luck, his first 3 boundaries being edged to the boundary for valuable runs. Then came the Butt. Campbell licking his lips as he had the confidence of knowing that he has scored 50s every time he has played against the Buttman and it soon looked like it was going to happen again. A good partnership was then set about and both batsmen lasted till the drinks break. 2-102 after 17.

Unfortunately the trend didnt continue afterwards and Campbell holed out on the boundary...again...for 49, new boy George Edmunds doing the scoring pointed out the HKUs scorer that she had given me one run too many as  she had me down for 50!!!! Well George, more about that later!! Not long after Poodle who was enjoying a better time against the Butt than the crap bowler Tahir who got 6 for 28 somehow. Poodle must have been thinking of his wife's new Bra size as he also let one through his guard, out for 43. Things went pretty much downhill from there, the middle order putting up very little defence and only Belcastro again showing some form of resistance. A score of 171 was obviously far from enough in our mind but as usual the Kai Tak fighting spirit was there. I reminded the boys though that we held them to 175 last year and that if we got the first couple of wickets, we knew we would be right in there.

The usual first changers of Naqvi and Belcastro had the honours of the new ball and with their opener hell bent on finishing the game in the first few overs, it was an interesting start. His lack of respect for Naqvi soon backfired and he top edged one to the ever reliable Campbell at mid on...yes i finally bloody caught one!!! So, 1 down and the Butt to come out, now most Captains would have been a bit worried, they had about 155 to get and the Butt was walking out to the crease....and yes i was one of those Captains. Some tight bowling soon had HKU falling a bit behind on run rate and the Butt was far from impressive. Then the break through. Fidel bowling his lovely in swingers got one right on the Butts big toe, huge appeal...after a bit of a delay their umpire realising how plumb he was raised his finger, much to the Butts frustration, Pakistan A my ass mate!!!!! Fidel now having the Butt 2 years in a row was calling him his bitch and even his Darrel Cullinan...great bowling Fidel!!!! Still a long way to go and with the in form Martin Sabine still at the crease, alot of work left to go. Catches win matches someone once said and how true it was, all up 7 catches were held 3 of the to George Edmunds. At the break we had them 6 for 70 odd and in real trouble. Their tail order had other ideas though and their plucky Pakistan No 9 took us to task hitting bounderies with a bit too much ease. Julian White the new boy ring in from Singapore bowled a lovely line and length was then replaced with Fidel who then picked up another vital wicket. With only 3 overs left and them needing only 11 runs with no wickets left it was becoming a nail biter. The field was set way out hoping the in form Khan would take a single but he stayed put opting for boundaries instead. It was to be his downfall as George who was starting to really find a nice line and length too made him go for one and fortunately to one of our safest pair of hands in Fidel on the cover boundary..OUT!!!!!!

What a great feeling it was. The top team with all their players couldnt do it against a Kai Tak team missing half of the regulars. It was a great effort by everyone, all players were walking in, talking it up and putting the pressure on, fantastic stuff. Apologies to Bruce Seymour and Johnny Gordon, despite their hints at warming up i stuck with the others, sorry boys next time!!! So off to our sponsors Stauntons for the much deserved drink, poor old George Edmunds copping a heap in a car surrounded by Aussies. On the phone saying he was going to have Sarnies for supper, had all the Aussies giving him all the sledging lessons from school!! As for marking me down one run mate, there is no room for honesty in this competition ok!!!

So a great win, much needed points on the board, well done all. Mohsin, another man of the match performance, a fantastic competitor!!

Special best wishes to Evan Summerfield who was a late pullout. Apparantly, he was out for a  lovely dinner in Melbourne showing off to his new girly, when he got the bill a sharp pain came through his sides. Rushed to hospital to be told he was passing a Kidney stone, leaving his girlfriend to cover the bill..Good luck Evo, we look forward to ribbing you more about this one.

Go the TAK!!!!!