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HK Cricket Match Reports: Saturday 21 November, 2015

Saturday Championship Division 1
CCC Jing Sun v HKCC Nomads
At Hong Kong Cricket Club, CCC Jing Sun beat hosts and defending championship HKCC Nomads by four wickets.

Batting first after winning the toss, Nomads were in all sorts of trouble at 6/49 after Elliot Andrews (3/46) and Matt Rafter (3/14) destroyed the top order, with three wickets each. Some middle order resistance by Andrew Swan (40) and Sagar Chandra (33*) got them to an eventual total of 137 but the tail was knocked over by Jonathan Brunello who claimed 3/27. Andrews then top-scored with 34 as CCC Jing Sun chased down the runs in the 31st over. He received good support from Stuart Henwood who finished on 31 not out.
At HKCC: HKCC Nomads 137 from 29.1 overs lost to CCC Jing Sun 6/138 from 30.4 overs by four wickets.

KCC Crusaders v Pakistan Association
At Kowloon Cricket Club, KCC Crusaders and Pakistan Association fought a close battle than went done to the wire. Crusaders found themselves batting first after Pakistan Association won the toss and they lost wickets at regular intervals to be 3/49 and then 4/80. An unbeaten 74 from Dylan Dearing got Crusaders to 6/181 from their 35 overs.

Facing only 34 overs to chase down the total after being docked one over for slow bowling, the Pakistan Association innings followed much the same pattern as Crusaders’. Hamed Khan hit 32 but Pakistan Association found themselves in some trouble at 5/74. However, a fine unbeaten 72 from Akbar Khan, with valuable contributions from the lower order batsmen, got them home off the penultimate ball of the game.
At KCC: KCC Crusaders 6/181 from 35 overs lost to Pakistan Association 8/182 from 33.5 overs by two wickets.

Saturday Championship Division 2
DLSWCC Spartans v Kai Tak CC
DLSWCC Spartans made short work of Kai Tak CC in a Division 2 match at Mission Road. Spartans batted first and made 165 from their 35 overs with Haroon Arshad (44) and Hiren Patel (35) making the major contributions while Kai Tak skipper Mohsin Naqvi picked up 3/26 in his seven over spell.

A hat-trick by Mohsin Khan in his first over knocked the stuffing out of the Kai Tak batting line-up and their innings capitulated for just 48. Khan grabbed 7/29 and Karandeep Singh claimed 3/12 as Kai Tak were bundled out in less than 14 overs.
At MR: DLSWCC Spartans 165 from 35 overs beat Kai Tak 48 from 13.4 overs by 117 runs.

SCC Lancers v Pioneers CC
At PKVR Park, SCC Lancers enjoyed a bonus point victory over Pioneers CC. Batting first after winning the toss, SCC Lancers blasted their way to a total of 5/277 off their 35 overs with Krishnakumar Kalathil (77) and Tanmay Bijur (93) combining for a second wicket partnership of 157 runs. Uday Shetty also pitched in with a quickfire 43 at the end. Pioneers’ skipper James Chan top-scored with 52 as Pioneers were restricted to 7/132 in their reply.
At PKVR Park: SCC Lancers 5/277 from 35 overs beat Pioneers CC 7/132 from 35 overs.

Lamma CC v CCC Hung See
At PTC, Lamma CC beat CCC Hung See by six wickets. After being sent in to bat, CCC Hung See reached 8/138 from their 35 overs with Anthony Marrin top scoring with 48. Royce McDonald was the pick of the Lamma bowlers, as he claimed 5/28 in a damaging spell.

Lamma’s reply was led by Adrian Sargent with an unbeaten 48 and they did just enough to earn themselves a bonus point by the narrowest of margins.
At PTC: CCC Hung See 8/138 from 35 overs lost to Lamma CC 4/140 from 28.4 overs by six wickets.

Match Reports: Women’s League 21-22 November, 2015

Saturday, 21st November 2015
HKCC Willow Wielders continued their unbeaten run this season with a nine-wicket demolition of CCC Fung Wong at PKVR Reservoir. CCC Fung, only fielding eight players could only manage a total of 127 in 26.3 overs with their skipper Pull To scoring 51.

Unbeaten knocks by Jenefer Davies and Marina Lamplough, who finished on 47* and 62* got the HKCC women home in 16.2 overs.
At PKVR Reservoir: CCC Fung Wong 127 from 26.3 overs lost to HKCC Willow Wielders 1/128 from 16.2 overs by nine wickets.

Sunday, 22nd November 2015
The Women League match at PKVR Reservoir was wrapped up in less than 20 overs with DLSWCC Wasps thrashing the PACC women by nine wickets. PACC were bowled out for just 29 in 14 overs with Shanzeen Shahzad picking up 4/20 and Mehreen Yousaf claiming 5/9. The DLSWCC Wasps batters needed only 5.3 overs to knock off the runs, although they did manage to lose a wicket in the process.
At PKVR Reservoir: PACC 29 from 14 overs lost to DLSWCC Wasps 1/32 from 5.3 overs by nine wickets.

Scotland to Tour Hong Kong!

Hong Kong confirmed to host first ever One Day Internationals as Scotland to tour in January 2016.

The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) today announced that it will host Scotland’s men’s national team here in January 2016. The tour will feature the first ever One Day Internationals (ODIs) held on Hong Kong – or Chinese – soil.

The announcement was made after the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground (known as Mission Road) as an ODI venue, the first in East Asia. The ICC had sent two representatives a fortnight ago – including former Australian Test Cricketer and now ICC Match Referee David Boon – to inspect the LCSD-run facility, which will also host the city’s inaugural First Class and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches during the same tour.

HKCA CEO Tim Cutler commented on how important the approval is and also discussed other possible future international cricket events in Hong Kong. “The approval of Mission Road is a historic event for Hong Kong cricket and I would like to thank the HKCA staff and volunteers who worked on this project. Moreover, the assistance from the LCSD was amazing and this would not have been possible without their help, especially from Ms Ada Lau who oversee the ground’s management and Mr Cameron Hodgkins who heads up the Sports Turf Management Section”.

“It is fitting that the first nation to play ODI cricket against us here is Scotland. The Scots have long proud history in Hong Kong and we have already initiated discussions with various local Scottish community groups to ensure these matches are properly publicised and celebrated. We have some great ideas about how to make this a great event – a true festival of cricket – and we look forward to announcing more details soon.”

“I also think that the matches will actually be the highest (by world ranking) sporting event involving a Hong Kong team, ever hosted here. On the topic of grounds, we are continuing our discussions with the government and its appointed agents about accommodating cricket appropriately at the proposed Kai Tak Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. There is real opportunity here for us to develop a beacon here for cricket in East Asia whilst assisting the HKCA as it strives to be a leader for emerging cricket nations globally. There are numerous international cricket events that we could host in Hong Kong, with the right facilities.”

“With talk of cricket’s inclusion at the Olympics increasing, I think it is critical we do not overlook the opportunity to provide a world-class facility where we could also host women’s and under-age World Cup events. Twenty20 matches (or franchises) from the hugely successful Indian Premier League and Australian Big Bash Leagues are also an option. We could even provide a neutral test venue. All of these would generate immense global interest and the potential TV revenue alone makes this a very exciting prospect, along with the obvious exposure for Hong Kong itself.”

Cutler continued “Even in preliminary talks, the ICC is very excited about the prospect of Hong Kong being able to host such matches and we’ll ensure a direct line of communication is developed so that they can shed light on the potential with the government.”

Scotland’s tour in January will include the first class, four-day Intercontinental Cup match, two World Cricket League games which will hold full-ODI status and two Twenty20 Internationals. The two T20i ties are to be confirmed.

Hong Kong is currently 10th in the T20I rankings, and 16th in ODIs. Scotland are 12th and 14th in the respective tables.

After recent strong results in the UAE, Hong Kong could improve its ranking to 13th with wins over Scotland.

Proposed Tour Itinerary – Hong Kong v. Scotland
(All Matches at Mission Road, Tin Kwong Road, Kowloon District):

21 – 24 January: ICC Intercontinental Cup (Four-day, first class match)
26 & 28 January: ICC World Cricket League Championship (Fifty over, One Day Internationals)
30 & 31 January: Twenty20 Internationals

Women’s 15s Match Report: HKCC 5-48 USRC Tigers – 21 November, 2015

The weekend’s fixture saw the HKCC Ladies squad travel to King’s Park to play a USRC Tigers side sitting one place above them in the league.

HKCC had learned some valuable lessons from the previous weekend and had put that into practice in the training sessions leading up to the game. It showed from the off with HKCC putting pressure on the Tigers keeping them at bay, however fortune was not on HKCC’s side and a momentarily lapse in concentration led to Tigers taking a 5-0 lead with a break down the blindside wing.

The opening 25 minutes saw a tense battle between the two squads with HKCC playing some of the best rugby of their season so far, putting together phase after phase, gaining yard after yard ending in a superb team try finished off by Scrum Half Ashley Brooks.

The hard working start took it’s toll and as HKCC began to tire the Tigers were all too happy to take advantage, adding 2 unanswered tries and going in at half time 15-5 up.

HKCC tried to regroup at the break as injuries and players looked burnt out after the explosive beginning to the first half.

The second half continued in the same vain as the latter minutes of the first half with the Tigers showing no signs of slowing down adding three more early tries to take the lead to 34-5.

HKCC showed a lot of spirit, courage and determination trying not to be disheartened as they attempted to penetrate the Tigers defence but the fierce opposition had other ideas. The Tigers showed more clinical finishing to end the game 48-5.

Again this week saw some great phases of play for HKCC to take heart from particularly in the opening 25 minutes. What is needed is to play at that level for the full game. The Tigers showed they will compete with most teams will surely be amongst it at the end of the season.

Women of the match for HKCC:
Back – Angie Ng
Forward – Carolyn Champion

HKCC Ladies: Joan Yip, Wawa Li, Jo Harvey, Izzy Rivers, Nobuko Oda, Carolyn Champion, Zoe Wong, Lynda Nazer, Ashley Brooks, Tinley Wong, Brenda Chan, Emma Chung, Tissia Polycarpe, Serene Yee, Diana Li
Substitutes: Mhairi McLaughlin, Charlotte Berry, Hoi Yi Li, Elane Lau, Angie Ng, Kassie Chapel, Margaret Chan.
Try: Ashley Brooks

Hong Kong Succumb to Pakistan’s Pace in 64 Run Loss

Pakistan defeated Hong Kong by 64 runs in a thrilling twenty20 clash in Dubai on Monday.

Chasing 168 for victory, Mark Chapman scored a 39-ball half century and Anshuman Rath contributed 18 to anchor the Hong Kong innings, but the side lost wickets regularly to be dismissed for 103 runs in 17.1 overs.

Pakistan may have momentarily regretted electing to bat, with opener Ahmed Shehzad dismissed with the first ball of the match. However, Rafatullah Mohmand (25) and number three Sohaib Maqsood (25) steadied the ship, before Mohammad Rizwan starred with an unbeaten 38-ball 55.

Aamer Yamin added 27 more, while number eight Anwar Ali struck 16 from only eight deliveries to help boost Pakistan’s run rate in the final overs. Babar Hayat took a screaming catch to dismiss Anwir on the last ball of the innings, a catch that was also Haseeb Amjad’s third wicket for the day. Haseeb finished the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers with three for 38, which Anshuman Rath claimed two for 30, and Tanwir Afzal and Aizaz Khan took one apiece.

In reply, Hong Kong lost two early wickets and only had 11 runs on the board when vice captain Mark Chapman came to the crease. Opener Anshuman Rath added a vital 18 runs from 19 deliveries, but it was Chapman’s knock, which included five fours and two sixes, that got the Hong Kong innings back on track.

It was with a four that Chapman brought up his half century, but he was caught next ball to leave Hong Kong precariously balanced at 82 for six after 12.2 overs. Hong Kong’s tail failed to wag in the last few overs. Finally, Hong Kong closed on 103 all out after 17.1 overs.

Hong Kong has three T20Is remaining in its tour of the UAE.

Result
Pakistan won by 64 runs
Toss – Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first

Pakistan 167/7, 20 overs
Mohammad Rizwan 55*, Aamer Yamin 27, Rafatullah Mohmand 25, Sohaib Maqsood 25
Haseeb Amjad 3/38, Anshuman Rath 2/30, Tanwir Afzal 1/25, Aizaz Khan 1/32

Hong Kong 103 all out, 17.1 overs
Mark Chapman 50, Anshuman Rath 18, Waqas Khan 10
Bilal Asif 2/13, Shahid Afridi 2/21, Sohail Tanvir 1/8, Aamer Yamin 1/29

T20: Hong Kong lose to Oman by 6 Wickets

Oman’s Sultan Ahmed won the toss against Hong Kong’s Tanwir Afzal, and his bowlers did the rest as Hong Kong were soundly beaten in the first of three Twenty20 Internationals losing by 6 wickets in a match played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

After losing the toss Hong Kong were asked to bat. Openers Anshuman Rath and Waqas Barkat could not set the same platform as they had in the second ODI against United Arab Emirates, Rath could only score 5 before being dismissed by Bilal Khan in the 1st over.

Babar Hayat joined Barkat at the crease and quickly raced to 16 with a run of boundaries before being caught in the third over. Hayat was the first of three wickets to fall for just 4 runs as Hong Kong were reduced to 31 for 4 as Barkat and Nizakat Khan quickly followed. Skipper Tanwir Afzal and Mark Chapman then put on 21 before Afzal perished caught at extra cover as he drove on the up. Chris Carter and Waqas Khan then began to rebuild the innings in a 36-run partnership, that lifted Hong Kong’s total to 92. But disaster struck in the 17th over as first Waqas Khan (19) was ran out and Chris Carter (15) was caught at long on by Adnan Ilyas. Hong Kong finally closed on 106 for 9 from their 20 overs probably 20 short of par for a wicket that was playing low and slow.

For Oman Bilal Khan (3 for 29) and Mehran Khan (2 for 20) were the pick of the bowlers

Hong Kong set about defending of the total as Haseeb Amjad and Tanwir Afzal kept things tight early which brought about the dismissal of opener Khawar Ali trapped lbw by Afzal as he looked to hit across a full ball.

Jatinder Singh (16) joined opener Aaqib Sulehri (12) at the crease and the pair took the total to 25 from 5 overs, before Sulehri was caught behind by Chris Carter to a superb diving catch to his right. Adnan Ilyas was removed by Skipper Afzal and Singh was bowled in the 10th over by Anshuman Rath after a period of pressure. This brought Zeeshan Siddiqui (33*) and Sultan Ahmed (37*) together and the pair set about building the match winning partnership of 30 for Oman, who eventually reached their target of 107 with 9 balls to spare.

Skipper Tanwir Afzal claimed two wickets while Aizaz Khan and Anshuman Rath chipped in with one wicket each for Hong Kong as Oman won the match by 6 wickets in Abu Dhabi.

Women’s 15s Match Report: HKCC 5-18 CWB Pheasants – 14 November, 2015

A week’s break allowed the cuts, bruises and bumps of the previous matches to heal and made the HKCC Ladies even keener to play at their home ground Aberdeen against the Causeway Bay Pheasants in the 6th Round of the League.

The whistle blew and HKCC kicked off giving possession to the waiting Pheasants who immediately began to pound their way up the pitch. HKCC scrapped for the ball but the Pheasants furiously rucked maintaining possession and skillfully controlling the course of play. During the first ten minutes HKCC only handled the ball once and this was to kick off again after the Pheasants broke round the side of the defence and scored the first try of the match, 5-0.

Determined to take ownership of the game HKCC kicked off and instantly pressured the Pheasant’s defence. The two teams collided up and down the pitch but neither side looked set to score a try until a close opportunity came for HKCC’s number 8, Lynda Nazer. Awarded a scrum in the Pheasants’ 22 Nazer picked the ball up and pummeled her way up the pitch. But much to HKCC’s frustrations, Nazer, a footstep from the try line was barged into touch. Gaining the ball back the Pheasants kicked to clear their lines, putting HKCC’s fullback and winger under pressure, who only just managed to keep the Pheasant’s attack at bay.

The match continued with the two teams fighting for possession and precious ground. Foul play from HKCC led to a penalty that helped the Pheasants creep further up the pitch. Within minutes HKCC gave away another penalty this time in a threatening position, 5m from the try line. The Pheasants opted for a kick at goal, the ball sailed through the posts, padding CWB’s lead; 8-0.

The first half was drawing to a close but not before HKCC had one more stab at the Pheasant’s defence. Dominated by the HKCC forwards a maul formed and with gaining momentum they thundered towards the try line. With a few metres to go, quick as a flash HKCC’s Carolyn Champion broke from the maul with ball in hand. Once again HKCC were a footstep from the try line, but this time it was Champion who was mercilessly tackled into touch by a strong Pheasant defence. The score remained 8-0 to Pheasants and the whistle blew for half time.

After some rallying words from coach Alex Tarleton the whistle blew for the start of the second half. The Pheasants booted the ball straight into the arms of HKCC scrumhalf Emma Chung, who charged up the pitch. After some clashes in the center of the field a quick Pheasant turn over saw their attack bursting through HKCC defence. Weaving around the HKCC fullback the Pheasants looked close to scoring until Chung made a last ditch tackle, halting the attack. The Pheasants reset to strike again and this time succeeded, as their winger zipped round the side of the HKCC defence, 13-0.

HKCC kicked off and again the two sides fought to control the game. A great breakthrough came from HKCC’s centre Lucy Thomson, who hurtled through the Pheasant defence. But foul play by HKCC at the ruck gave the Pheasants a penalty and they wasted no time in using it to their advantage. HKCC were pushed back to their own try line fighting off another Pheasant attack. Nothing could stop the two Pheasant forwards who crashed over the try line for their third try of the match.

HKCC knew time was running out and they were determined to get some well-deserved points on the board. The HKCC forwards moved up together recycling the ball well until they were only meters from the try line. The Pheasants absorbed the hits well but they were unable to stop outside centre Tissia Polycarpe thundering over the try line, scoring the first and last HKCC points of the match.

After what seemed like a long and tiresome second half the whistle blew to end the match. Although a loss for the HKCC Ladies they are improving every week and look forward to their next match against Tigers this Saturday.

HKCC Woman of the Match: Emma Chung

HKCC 5-18 CWB Pheasants
HKCC Ladies: Joan Yip, Wawa Li, Jo Harvey, Lauren Petersen, Nobuko Oda, Brenda Chan, Cheryl Gourley, Lynda Nazer, Emma Chung, Tinley Wong, Serene Yee, Carolyn Champion, Tissia Polycarpe, Angie Ng, Steph Zhang
Substitutes: Lucy Thomson, Kassie Chapel, Charlotte Berry, Hoi Yi Li, Elane Lau, Mhairi McLoughlin.
Try: Tissia Polycarpe

Photo: Phoebe Leung

Choi and Yip Strike Gold at Lawn Bowls Classic

Bowlers Vivian Yip and Amy Choi made history today becoming the first local players to win the women’s pairs title at the Hong Kong International Bowls Classic. Yip and Choi defeated Australian Karen Murphy and Kristina Krstic 13:8, 4:11, 2:1 in the final, which was switched from the outdoor natural grass green to the artificial green at Club de Recreio due to heavy rain.

The win rounded-out the tournament perfectly for Hong Kong as local bowlers Dorothy Yu and Jordi Lo had swept the singles title last Sunday.

In the men’s final, Nathan Pedersen and Corey Wedlock from Australia defeated Marc Wyatt and Robert Weale from Wales to lift the title.