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HK Domestic Cricket Round-up: 12-13 September 2015

HK Domestic Cricket Round-up: 12-13 September 2015

Saturday, 12th September 2015
Three matches were played in the second week of the season with Hong Kong Cricket Club Witherers beating Kowloon Cricket Club Crusaders in a thriller while KCC Tartars and CCC Jing Sun played out a tie. In Division Two, SCC Lancers had a seven wicket win over Kai Tak at PKVR Park.

Saturday Championship Division 1
At Hong Kong Cricket Club, hosts HKCC Witherers batted first and posted 9/184 from their 35 overs with Charlie Bright hitting 40 at the top of the order and Andrew Jacobs finishing unbeaten on 41. In reply, KCC Crusaders look good early but four wickets to Anton Buntin and three to Tobias Raper knocked them over for 179.
At HKCC: HKCC Witherers 9/184 from 35 overs beat KCC Crusaders 179 from 33.1 overs by 5 runs

Over at Kowloon Cricket Club, KCC Tartars and CCC Jing Sun played out a thrilling tie. Tartars batted first after winning the toss and they scored 170 from 34.5 overs. Tartar’s top scorer was Ankur Sharma with 32 while Reid Mawdsley picked up 3/31 for CCC. In reply, CCC Jing Sun got to 4/134 but lost their last six wickets for 36 runs as the match finished in a tie. Chris Harris top scored for CCC Jing Sun while Ateeq ul-Rehman claimed 4/26 and Ghulam Mustafa picked 3/40 for Tartars.
At KCC: KCC Tartars 170 from 34.5 overs tied with CCC Jing Sun 170 from 33.1 overs.

Saturday Championship Division 2
At Po Kong Village Road Reservoir Ground (PKVR), SCC Lancers dismissed Kai Tak for just 97 and cruised to victory in less than 20 overs. Kai Tak batted first after wining the toss bu they were pegged back early with the loss of both openers with only 12 runs on the board. Saurav Biswas helped lead a mini revival for Kai Tak but his 24 was their best on the day as the last 6 wickets could only muster 22 runs. The wickets were shared around by the Lancers’ bowlers with Nitesh Talwar, Rahul Tonapi and Tauseef Bukhari all claiming three each. An unbeaten 55 from Soma Nair was more than enough to see SCC Lancers to victory in 19.3 overs.
At PKVR Park: Kai Tak 97 from 24.1 overs lost to SCC Lancers 3/98 from 19.3 overs by 7 wickets.

Sunday, 13th September 2015

Women’s Twenty20 Cup
In the second week of the Women’s T20 Cup, HKCC Willow Wielders, DLSW Wasps and CCC Fung Wong were victorious.

In the early game, CCC Fung Wong scored a nine wicket victory after dismissing PACC for 22 in just 8.5 overs. The CCC women only needed 4.4 overs to knock off the required runs.
At PKVR Reservoir: PACC 22 from 8.5 overs lost to CCC Fung Wong 1/25 from 4.4 overs by 9 wickets.

There was an even more lop-sided game in the second match of the day with HKCC Willow Wielders thumping USRC by ten wickets. None of the USRC batters could register a run as USRC was dismissed for 23 in ten overs with Subhadra Bandyopadhyay picking up 7-2 from three overs. HKCC Willow Wielders had no trouble knocking off the wining runs in 4 overs.
At PKVR Reservoir: USRC 23 from 10 overs lost to HKCC Willow Wielders 0/24 from 4 overs by 10 wickets.

The final game of the day did see some decent action as DLSW Wasps beat KCC Maidens by 64 runs. Shanzeen Shahzad hit 65 and Yousaf Mehreen scored 61 as the Wasps scored an impressive 3/161 from their 20 overs. In reply, KCC Maidens could only manage 7/97 from their 20 overs with Shanzeen and Kinza Zahid picking up two wickets each.
At PKVR Reservoir: DLSW Wasps 3/161 from 20 overs beat KCC Maidens 7/97 from 20 overs by 64 runs.

One-Day Premier League
The One Day Premier League competition kicked off with defending champions HKCC taking on DLSWCC Prism at Hong Kong Cricket Club and KCC facing the HKCA U19s at Kowloon Cricket Club. Both matches were scored live on Cricinfo for the first time.

At Hong Kong Cricket Club, Little Sai Wan Prism stunned the hosts by 123 runs thanks to a brilliant batting effort that saw them post 6/332 from their 50 overs. Babar Hayat scored the first century of the season with a run-a-ball 100 while Ehsan Khan hit 83 runs. The pair shared a 163 run partnership before Munir Dar (54) and Shahid Wasif (49*) smashed 90 runs off 33 balls to lift DLSW to their big total.

HKCC made a good fist of their reply, being well ahead of the DLSW score in the early stages of their innings. But the regular loss of wickets blighted their chase and they eventually fell 123 runs short. Nizakat Khan’s 46 was the best for HKCC, sharing an 84-run partnership with Courtney Kruger who scored 42, while Simon Cook and Dlajeet Singh both struck 31. Ehsan Khan did the damage with the ball for DLSW, claiming 5/37 from his 8 over spell.
At HKCC: DLSW Prism 6/332 from 50 overs beat HKCC 209 from 40.1 overs by 123 runs

In the day’s other match, Kowloon Cricket Club defeated the HKCA Under-19s by 140 runs at Kowloon Cricket Club. KCC plundered the U19s attack for 326 runs off their 50 overs with Jamie Atkinson hitting 93 and Kincit Shah and Ryan Campbell completing half-centuries. Tanveer Ahmed was the best of the U19s bowlers, picking up 3/54 from his ten over spell.

In reply, the U19s started solidly with the openers putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. But wickets tumbled regularly and from 8/95 there was no coming back. Left-arm spinner Dan Pascoe did the damage for KCC, picking up 5/30 from his ten over spell. A last wicket partnership between Tanveer Ahmed and Saad Mohammad worth 72 runs was the best for the U19s as the finished on 186 from 48.5 overs.
At KCC: KCC 7/326 from 50 overs beat HKCA U19s 186 from 48.5 overs by 140 runs.

Source: HK Cricket Association

Police Re-Write History to Remove Communists

The Hong Kong Police Force website has been re-writing history in an apparent attempt “clean up” the ‎Communist Party and pro-China individuals reputations. Words like “communist” have been removed in several places as have details of communists making bombs at school & setting up “struggle committees” during the 1967 communist instigated riots.

Another comment on a trend back then that resembles Hong Kong today has been removed “wealthy businessmen who had blessed the troubles, the “red fat cats” dispatched their children to universities in the much-disparaged United States and Britain”

As have all mentions of “Little Red Book”

Here is the original text from the Internet archive and ‘new’ version of history – deleted parts in bold

Police website text in 2010 – source
This brief flurry was but a rehearsal for the following spring. In China, the political turmoil spread and eventually lashed Hong Kong. Inflamed by rhetoric, fuelled by misplaced ideas of nationalism, huge mobs marched on Government House, waving aloft the Little Red Book and shouting slogans. Ranks of police faced crowds hurling insults, spitting, sometimes throwing acid. Never have strict discipline and stringent training paid such dividends. Staunchly, the thin khaki line held firm. Those early days in May 1967 were the start of a torrid, worrying summer. The mass protests tapered off, to be replaced by a campaign of terror and bombing. Bus and tram drivers were threatened, sometimes attacked if they went to work to keep Hong Kong on the move. Bombs were made in classrooms of left-wing schools and planted indiscriminately on the streets. Struggle committees were formed to foment strife against the government, although it was swiftly apparent none of the leaders to go to China to participate in the nationwide strife that was taking such an appalling toll, and the wealthy businessmen who had blessed the troubles, the “red fat cats” dispatched their children to universities in the much-disparaged United States and Britain.

Through the tear smoke and the terror, the police held firm. They never quavered.

Their loyalty was never in doubt. And in a remarkable show of support, the public rallied to their side. It was the common people of Hong Kong, and the police sworn to protect them, who turned the tide. The insanity gradually ebbed.

But was worse to come. In the most serious single incident of that year of violence, communist militia opened fire from the Chinese side of the border. Five policemen were cut down in the hail of bullets, nine others were injured. They were among a death toll which included bomb disposal officers killed trying to defuse booby-traps in city streets. The entire population was revolted by the bombings, particularly when a seven-year-old girl and her brother, aged two, playing outside their North Point home were killed.

Revived Police Website text
This brief flurry was but a rehearsal for the following spring. In China, the political turmoil spread and eventually lashed Hong Kong. Inflamed by rhetoric, fuelled by misplaced ideas of nationalism, huge mobs marched on Government House. Ranks of police faced crowds hurling insults, spitting, sometimes throwing acid. Never have strict discipline and stringent training paid such dividends. Staunchly, the thin khaki line held firm. In May 1967, the mass protests tapered off, but to be replaced by a campaign of terror and bombing. Bombs were planted indiscriminately on the streets.

Through the tear smoke and the terror, the police held firm. They never quavered. Their loyalty was never in doubt. And in a remarkable show of support, the public rallied to their side. It was the common people of Hong Kong, and the police sworn to protect them, who turned the tide. The insanity gradually ebbed.

But was worse to come. In the most serious single incident of that year of violence, gunmen opened fire from the border area in Sha Tau Kok. Five policemen were shot dead in the hail of bullets, nine others were injured. They were among a death toll which included bomb disposal officers killed trying to defuse booby-traps in city streets. The entire population was revolted by the bombings, particularly when a seven-year-old girl and her brother, aged two, playing outside their North Point home were killed.

UPDATE
As the public increasingly criticises the police for re-writing history on its website, Police Commissioner Steven Lo Wai-chung is reported to have responded that the “streamlined version” is to match modern reading habits as the original version was “too long to fit in the page and people may lose interest in reading it.”

Sources: 本土新聞Local Press, PassionTimes 熱血時報, 蘋果日報, Hong Kong Police Force, Real Hong Kong News, Internet Archive Wayback Machine

HK Tap Festival 2015

Hong Kong Tap Festival 2015
18-26 September 2015
Honorary Advisor: Mandy Petty

RONxll (Hisao Ogatsu), who is regarded as one of the greatest tappers in Japan, is the Hong Kong Tap festival’s featured guest tapper. RONxll style is characterised by his great skill and dexterity. He has performed on many stages and in various movies, including his role as the choreographer and dancer in Zatoichi, directed by the well-known Japanese director Takeshi Kitano. In the movie RONxll astonishes the audience with a unique style of tap dancing wearing traditional Japanese wooden clogs. He’s also performed and participated in numerous tap shows and tap festivals, including Noise & Funk, a Broadway musical directed and choreographed by the tap master Savion Glover; Human Rhythm Project of Chicago Tap Festival; REVO TRAP Live at Hyogo Performing Arts Center; Tap Together of Taipei Tap Festival.

The Hong Kong Tap Festival 2015 (HKTF 2015) also presents guest workshop for tap dance lovers to join. There will be 15 classes in 3 consecutive days at CCDC Dance Centre, taught by three Japanese tap masters. Students can learn from the Festival’s featured guests, taking glimpses into their dancing and teaching. Aspire to enhance your understanding and knowledge of the global trend in tap dance? It’s something you shouldn’t miss!

Gala Performances: Beat Me Tap
Venue: Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre
Date and time:
25/09/2015 (Fri五) 8pm#
26/09//2015 (Sat六) 3pm
26/09/2015 (Sat六) 8pm
Ticket Price : $180, $140*

#Meet-the-artist session on 25 Sept.
*Discount tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder and full-time students.

Guest Tappers/Choreographers:
RONxII (Hisao Ogatsu) (JP)
PORI (Yuta Hori) (JP)
ton (Tomomi Kodota) (JP)
Dance Works (TW)
Hou-jiung “Little Eyes” Chen (TW)

Local Tappers/Choreographers:
Ken Kwok, Eve Leung, Tan- ki Wong, Calvin Tang, Marix Ho, To Chan, Rex Chiu, The Autistic Genius, Ani Wan, Vanessa Lee

Presented by: R&T (Rhythm & Tempo)
Artistic Director: Ken Kwok
Producer: Chi-wing Wong
Live Band: Patrick Lui
Technical Director: Benny Shaw
Deputy Stage Manager: Adonic Lo
Assistant Stage Manager: Gary Cheung
Sound Designer: CanDog
Lighting Designer: Adonic Lo
Graphic Designer: Wing-suet Lo
Video: C.PRODUCTION HOUSE
Ticketing: Man-yan Ho

Tickets are NOW available at URBTIX
Programme Enquiries: 6804 6297
Ticketing Enquiries: 3761 6661 (10am-8pm Daily)
Credit Card Telephone Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk
Mobile Ticketing App Booking: My URBTIX(Android and iPhone/iPad Versions)

*Participants of age 6 or above are welcome.
*The presenter reserves the right to substitute artists and change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.
*For information of other HKTF 2015 events including guest workshops, sharing session and Fun Tap Jam, please check out our other promotional materials.
www.facebook.com/HKTAPFEST
www.RNTTAP.com

香港踢躂節2015
18-26/09/2015
榮譽顧問：敏迪貝蒂

大匯演＜拍・我・踢躂＞
地點： 西灣河文娛中心劇院
日期及時間:
25/09/2015 (Fri) 8pm#
26/09//2015 (Sat) 3pm
26/09/2015 (Sat) 8pm
票價： $180, $140*

#9月25日演出後設有演後藝人談。
*設有六十歲或以上高齡人士、殘疾人士及看護人、全日制學生票半價優惠。

嘉賓舞者：
RONxII (小勝久生 Hisao Ogatsu) (日本)
PORI (堀雄太 Yuta Hori) (日本)
ton (門田巴魅Tomomi Kodota) (日本)
舞工廠舞團 (台灣)
陳厚均（小眼睛） (台灣)
本地編創舞者：
郭偉傑、梁美嘉、王丹琦、鄧偉豐、何威智、陳濤、趙浩然、結界達人、尹巧茵、李佳齡

主辦: R&T (Rhythm & Tempo)
藝術總監：郭偉傑
監製: 黃志榮
現場音樂：雷柏熹
技術總監：邵少威
執行舞台監督：羅兆鏵
助理舞台監督：張繼業
音響：夏恩蓓
燈光設計：羅兆鏵
平面設計：羅永雪
錄像： C.PRODUCTION HOUSE
票務：賀文欣

門票現正在城市售票網發售。
節目查詢： 6804 6297
票務查詢： 3761 6661 (10am-8pm每日Daily)
信用卡電話購票： 2111 5999
網上購票： www.urbtix.hk
流動購票應用程式購票： My URBTIX(Android and iPhone/iPad Versions)

*適合6歲或以上人士參與。
*如遇特殊情況，主辦機構保留更換節目及表演者的權利。
*其他有關香港踢躂節2015的活動如大師工作坊、分享會及即興踢躂匯，請留意我們其他的宣傳刊物。
www.facebook.com/HKTAPFEST
www.RNTTAP.com

HK Tap Festival 2015 Gala Performances
Date: 25-26 September, 2015
Venue: Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre, Theatre
Tickets: $180 from Urbtix
More info:
25.09.2015 (Fri) 8pm
26.09.2015 (Sat) 8pm, 3pm

Zhang Xiaoming’s Comments Devoid of Legal Basis

Not that the ‘Rule of Law’ means anything in China where a ‘contract’ is often worth less than the paper it’s written on, but according to the Progressive Lawyers Group, Zhang Xiaoming’s recent statement has no legal basis under the Basic Law.

The Director of the Central Government’s Liaison Office, Zhang Xiaoming, said on the 12 September that the Chief Executive’s (CE) position transcends that of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and that separation of powers between these three branches of government can only be applied at the level of a sovereign.

The Progressive Lawyers Group considers such views to be devoid of legal basis for the following reasons.

(1) The CE’s position stems from the Basic Law, with no “special legal status”

The Basic Law has constitutional status in Hong Kong SAR, and is the source which sets out the CE’s powers. The SAR’s affairs, including the CE’s roles and limits on his powers, are provided for under the Basic Law, and cannot be altered simply by some apparatchik claiming that the CE is the means by which the Central Government rules Hong Kong:

– Article 2 of the Basic Law clearly states that Hong Kong enjoys executive, legislative, and independent judicial (including the power of final adjudication) powers.

– Article 11 of the Basic Law requires that Hong Kong’s systems in respect of executive, legislature and judiciary shall be based on the Basic Law itself.

– Article 59 of the Basic Law stipulates that the SAR Government is the executive branch of government in Hong Kong, and that the CE is the head of the SAR Government. Thus, the CE is clearly and merely part of the executive branch, and does not in any way enjoy a status which transcends the executive branch.

– Article 64 of the Basic Law also states that the SAR Government must abide by the law. Thus, as the head of the SAR Government, the CR must abide by and cannot transcend the law, including the Basic Law.

As can be seen, under the Basic Law, there does not exist any so-called special legal position when it comes to the CE’s role in Hong Kong’s political system. Thus, Zhang Xiaoming’s statements are devoid of legal basis.

(2) Separation of powers between the three branches of government is not only applicable at the sovereign level, the CE is subject to legislative and judicial checks

The separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches, where they operate independently but also subject to checks on each other’s powers, is something that is currently applicable to the national, state and even local governments of many democratic jurisdictions. Zhang Xiaoming’s assertion that this concept is applicable only at the level of the sovereign clearly shows his ignorance in this regard.

As to Hong Kong, looking at the provisions of the Basic Law as a whole, the existence of such separation of powers is relatively clear, and was affirmed by the Court of Final Appeal (see Leung Kwok Hung v The President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2014), paragraph 27). The Basic Law clearly delineates Hong Kong’s executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and in a various parts set out provisions which create checks on each other’s powers. For example:

– Article 64 of the Basic Law states that the SAR Government must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Council.

– Articles 49, 50, 51 and 76 states that the CE’s checks on the Legislative Council, such as the special circumstances when he can dissolve the Legislative Council.

– As regards the judiciary, Article 80 of the Basic Law states that the various courts of Hong Kong constitute the Hong Kong’s judiciary, which exercises the Hong Kong SAR’s judicial power, and the independence of the judiciary is protected by Article 85: “The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference”.

(3) Zhang Xiaoming should seek to familiarise himself with the Basic Law

Zhang Xiaoming graduated with law degrees from Southwest University of Political Science and Law and Renmin University of China, both of which are apparently colleges of renown within Mainland China. However, his remarks on Saturday demonstrated his twisting and ignorance of the law, which is a disservice to his alma mater’s reputation. Rather than yet again sowing trouble and discord in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming the apparatchik should seek first to familiarise himself with the Basic Law before saying anything further on these topics. In short, Zhang’s comments are so patently absurd that those seeking to defend him should be careful of being seen as sailing too close to the wind, lest they end up also appearing as buffoons themselves.

Progressive Lawyers Group
14 September 2015
https://www.facebook.com/proglawgroup

Originally published in The Stand News

The Progressive Lawyers Group are a group of Hong Kong lawyers dedicated to promoting core values of rule of law, judicial independence, democracy, human rights, freedom, and justice.

Megabites: Portobello Burger

New on the Maya takeaway menu is the delicious Portobello burger – layers of either cashew truffle cheeze or spicy sunflower cheeze with lettuce and tomato sandwiched between two massive portobello mushrooms with some raw mash on the side ($88). And no I’m not one of those health food obsessed vegetarians, I’m a healthy meat loving hedonist, who isn’t put off by the raw, vegan, gluten free mumbo and just enjoys good tasty food, well prepared. That my body may benefit is pleasant a side-affect. Just as stress relief is happy side effect of a night drinking Jack Daniels with friends.

Maya Cafe
Shop G7, Nan Fung Tower, 173 des Voeux Road, Central. Tel: 2111 4553

Megabites: McWilliam’s Family Winemakers

There’s an amazing variety of vine growing regions spread across Australia and the McWilliam’s family owned winery, which planted its first vines in 1877, operates in most of them. They aim to produce good quality wine at specific price points for the Australian market.

Among these are the Hanwood Estate range A$10-12 (HK$50-60) and the Appellation Series A$20-25 (HK$110-130) and it does a pretty good job. The wines we sampled were nice to good and far better than most of the often barely drinkable wines by the glass offered in many local bars. The Evans & Tate 2014 Metricup Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and the Evans & Tate Redbrook Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 are both very drinkable and worth exploring.

Sadly local retail prices are triple those in Australia (remember we have no tax) and despite the increase in volume of local wine sales the price gouging of the Hong Kong consumer continues.

Megabites: Prego

Newly open in Soho is Italian restaurant Prego the latest outlet in Dining Concepts expanding portfolio. Head Chef Enrico Maritan cites his Mama’s cooking as the inspiration for the 50s-60s-70s ‘home style’ menu. At a recent media tasting we weren’t offered a ‘taste’ of the more interesting sounding ‘Chef’s specials’ of which Il Polpettone (beef and pork meatloaf with mash potato), La Sfoglia (baked pastry with eggplant, tomato and mozzarella) and profiterol (baked beignet stuffed with tiramisu cream and topped with dark chocolate) appealed.

Of the dishes sampled none were bad, but none were great. The Risotto Funghi Porcini e Tartufo was over cooked, watery and bland. The pizza thin and surprisingly flavourless with little cheese. The Salame di Cioccolato could have been good but lacked any memorable flavour or texture and was covered with that horrible artificial whipped cream from a can. There’s nothing bad about the food, just nothing that inspires a return or a recommendation to friends to give it a try. As for value, we were served tasting portions, so regrettably we can’t comment on portion size /price.

Prego: 43 Elgin Street, Central, Tel: 2651 5700

Megabites: Restaurant & Bar 2015

The third big food Expo of the year, Restaurant & Bar, again saw the HKCEC thronged with food and wine producers and distributors from across the globe. Amidst the plethora of coffee and craft beer distributors some of the more interesting products we saw and tasted were Vasterbottensosn cheese from Sweden made with cow’s milk of herds grazing close to the Arctic circle. Yak meat from Finland. Sweet Potato Butter from the United States, washed down with ‘moonshine’. Lovely Belgian macaroons in a range of wonderful flavours including fig goat cheese thyme, camembert raspberry from Multizen Asia – sadly only available commercially. Add pure blueberry and lingonberry juices fashioned into some lovely cocktails by Swedish bartender Emil Areng and the future’s looking tasty.