Kai Tak Vs Nomads, Plate semi final at HKCC.

Nomads 6 / 237  B.Haskett 8-4-55, B.Morley 10-1-36

Kai Tak 8 / 239 34.5 overs  M.Naqvi 54, B.Haskett 42, B.Morley 49

Kai Tak win a thriller!!!!!

Losing the toss we were asked to bowl first. No probs with the likes of Morls and Mohsin, both back after short absences. Morls was on the money straight away, Mohs struggled a bit but we were containing them early on. No early wickets and their openers looking quite strong. Change to the new look Guy named Bruce Seymour. The stiffness from the nets the day before was telling and it was a bit of a rude welcoming back to Saturday cricket Hong Kong style. Big bad Bob Ward came on and with his seamers, also contained the batsmen. On a good wicket and perfect conditions we had them 1-97 at the drinks break, evenly balanced!!! Haskett giving his captain a wicket in his first over, a great catch in the deep by Alex Zervos. This was shortly followed by the very important wicket of their Captain Chris OSullivan, who is averaging in the 40s this season, a great wicket, LBW too!!! Then the Captain made probably a game losing decision and brought himself on, now the first over only went for 4 runs but was then hammered for his next two...yes two, i didnt get the hint from my players who were snarling and sighing when i gave myself a 3rd over!!! 34 runs off the next 2 overs, well i think that says it all!!! Sorry boys. Fortunately Morls and Haskett were doing their bit and apart from a last over glitch by Brad he bowled superb and they had no answers with him and Morls. So 237/6 was not a big total considering the conditions but it was still 238 and we have struggled with the batting this season!!!!

No probs. Mohsin and Haskett to the task!!! The Nomads bowling was no match for these guys who took great pleasure knocking the ball around and over the boundary, a great start. Unfortunately , Brad went out for 42, an 83 run opening partnership, which brought yours truly to the crease. Seeing Mohs at the other end gave me the chance to just knock it about. Mohsin then brought up another fine 50 and with words of encouragement from me to carry on he then promptly went out, 54, great knock mate!! So Matt "my wife has great boobs" Poole came in and we saw it out to drinks. 2/137, just the start we hoped for!! Unfortunately things went a bit haywire from there. First Poodle going trying to slog one off middle peg, LBW 16. Then shortly after i went in my usual manner, caught on the boundary 14. Bob Ward and Morls, both enjoying a rise up the order decided to show us how it was supposed to go. Bob hitting boundaries and Morls batting in an unusual sensible manner!!! Yet another hickup. Bob out for 21, caught at short cover, he was heard to say on his way out, "I hate this game"..oh well. Carl McGann(who looks alot like the famous Aussie chef, Darren Farr), put on a valuable partnership with Morls, not making much runs but staying there when we needed him to, out for 8(27 run partnership). Now things were starting to get a bit worrying. The run rate was now up to about 8 an over an we were losing wickets too rapidly, we needed someone to stay. That man was Morls! Well we thought it was, unfortunately he tried for one too many runs and was run out for a valuable 49!!!! Alex Zervos was at the crease now and joined by George "Tim" Edmunds. Now "George" did what he thought best and tried to hit the first ball out of the park, which would have been great if he had hit it!!! He didnt, he missed and was easily stumped for a Golden Peking Duck. So now with about 16 runs to win and only 2 wickets remaining, it was a real nail biter. On walks Simon Wall with his, "I wear my sunglases at night" sunglases. Not bothered by the now decaying light obviously. Now in a decision that was a bit reminiscent of my decision, Sully left his slow bowler Mal Costain on for the second last over. They must have been thinking that a No 10 batsman in this league cant hit. Needing 17 off the last 2 overs, Zervs got us off to a flyer, a big 6 then a single. Simon, deciding not to wait for the final over then hit a 4 and then a big 6 to win the match with 7 balls remaining!!!!! Alex finishing on a valuable 13 n.o, S.Wall 10 n.o.

Once again this was a fantastic team effort. Everyone made an effort and the team spirit and support was magnificent. There were definitely moments when i thought we had blown it but the true Kai Tak spirit shone through again!!! We have now beaten the top team and the 3rd team in recent weeks, a great effort especially when you consider how we have relied on the part timers so much!!!

Although it was a team effort the stand outs were, Brad Haskett, who is such a great all rounder for us, Brett Morley who has always been a match winner and the ever present Mohsin Naqvi!!

But i have to say i will give a joint man of the match award. Brad Haskett and Brett Morley. Brad getting the wickets and getting us off to a great start and Morls for his 10 overs for only 36 in a high scoring game, then following up with his 49, a great effort both of you, well done!!!!!

So into the Plate final we go. It will be against Lamma or St Georges, hopefully Lamma so we can redeem ourselves for Beatts in his memorial game early in the season!!!!!! You will all be relieved that Dave is back to Captain for that one, so i will be lucky to get a bowl!!!! Lets win this Plate, i know it is not the Cup, but i believe that with the teams that we had to beat to get to the final, it has alot more weight to it!!!! A big night at Stauntons afterwards to celebrate, so bring it on!!!!!!

Go the TAK!!!!!!!!!!