Mark Eames, Phil DeFreitas, Irfan Ahmed, Mark Fuzes and Niesha Pratt all score centuries in the latest round of matches

Mark Eames, Phil DeFreitas, Irfan Ahmed, Mark Fuzes and Niesha Pratt all score centuries in the latest round of matches that saw Templars and LSW play out a sensational tie and Scorpions increase their advantage at the head of the Sunday League points table.

2005-06 HKCA Saturday League

Six matches were played in the 2005-06 HKCA Saturday League in fine but cool conditions on 7th January 2006.

At Po Kong Villiage Road, Mark Eames stroked his first century of the Saturday League season but his efforts were in vein as CCC were betean by Centaurs. Batting first, Centaurs compiled 236-7 from their 35 overs with Ali Rafaqat hitting a half century. The CCC batsmen were not up to the chase as they finished on 203-5, 34 runs short of their target.

The second match at Po Long Village Road saw Kai Tak cruise to a seven wicket victory over Mainlanders. Mohsen Naqvi claimed three wickets as Mainlanders were dismissed for just 110 and Kai Tak raced to victory for the loss of three wickets.

Saracens kept themselves in the hunt for the league title with a four wicket victory over Gap Ramblers at Kowloon Cricket Club. Mark Kratzmann lead the Gap Rmablers batting with a top score of 79 as the HKCC reached 212-4 from their 35 overs. Fine contributions from Ravi Sujanani and Amjad Mehmood saw Saracens surpass that score for the loss of six wickdets. Kratzmann was the best of the bowlers, claiming three wickets.

Tartars provided great assistance to Saracens chances by beating LSW Warriors by three wickets in a match played at Mission Road. Aftab Ahmed grabbed four wickets as the Warriors were skittled for 137, despite a half century from Suresh Pandey. Defending such a small total was always going to be difficult but the Warriors made Tartars work all the way for their victory, which they eventuially achieved for the loss of seven wickets. For Tartars, Graeme Jardine scored 63 whilst Munir Dar claimed three wickets for the Warriors.

Despite the loss, LSW Warriors remain at the top of the points table but both HKU, Saracens and SubCont are close behind with games in hand.

Nomads kept their faint hopes of championship honours alive with a four wicket victory over Witherers in a derby match played at Hong Kong Cricket Club. Witherers were restricted to 156-9 off their 35 overs with R Tucker claiming three wickets. In reply, Nomads reached their target for the loss of six wickets, with Samir Mehta adding three more victims to his season's tally.

In the final match, Crusaders started their new year with a victory over Police at the newly renamed Police Training College. Batting first, Crusaders hit the highest score of the day with 238-6 off their 35 overs with Anthony Barnet (81) and Marzook Mohanna (88) contributing the bulk of the runs. Mohanna delivered a superb all round performance as he claimed four wickets and took a blinding catch as Police were dismissed for 197 in reply. Nasir Hameed top sscored for Police with a fine 88.

2005-06 HKCA Sunday League

A full round of Sunday League matches was played on 8th January 2006 in fine but cold conditions.

Templars and Little Sai Wan played out a sensational and controversial tie in a high scoring match at Kowloon Cricket Club. Batting first, Templars scored a decent 285-6 in their 50 overs with James Atkinson and Rahul Sharma both hitting half centuries whilst Nadeem Ahmed claimed three wickets. LSW made a bold assault on the target with Irfan Ahmed hitting his first hundred of the season and Azhar Illahi scoring 66, whilst Amjad Mehmood claimed three wickets for Templars. The match finished in sensational and controversial circumstances. Having been advised by the scorer at the start of the final over that 24 runs were required for victory, Irfan Ahmed proceeded to cart Amjad Mehmood to all corners of the field, scoring 2 sixes and three fours from the first five deliveries. Believing they had won, the LSW batsmen ran from the field in ecstasy, only to be informed shortly afterwards that the scores were tied and that one run was still required for victory with one ball still to be bowled. The two teams were requested by the umpires to return to the field to play the final delivery. A frantic single was attempted by LSW's last pair but a sensational run-out was made. The LSW team later appealed the result but the MDC ruled that the tied result should stand.

Taking advantage of LSW's slip up, Scorpions romped to a 133 run victory over Pakistan Association at Po Kong Village Road to extend their lead at the top of the Sunday League points table. Batting first, Scorpions posted the best score of the afternoon as they amassed 296-9 off their 50 overs, with Phil DeFreitas hitting his second successive hundred of the calendar year, posting an impressive 163. Mohammed Ozair was the best of the Pakistan Association bowlers, claiming four wickets. A frenetic run chase by Pakistan Association came up well short as they were dismissed for 163 in the 28th over. DeFreitas capped off a great all around performance by claiming four wickets whilst Mark Kratzmann claimed three.

Optimists ensured it was a day of celebration at Hong Kong Cricket Club as they thrashed Infidels by 10 wickets. Hong Kong Under 19 skipper Courtney Kruger top scored for Infidels with 79 as they were dismissed for a somewhat disappointing 209 in the 47th over with Mark Fuzes claiming four wickets and Glaros claiming three. Mark Fuzes and Mark Eames combined for an unbroken double century partnership, with Fuzes hitting 110 out out and Eames 78 not out, as they cruised to victory in the 33rd over.

In the last game of the day, Pakistan Association Green scored a six wicket victory over Millennium in a match played at Mission Road. Batting first, Millennium could only muster a total of 121 off 32 overs with Jamshaid Mohammed claiming four wickets and Saiket Sen three for Pakistan Association Green. In reply, Pakistan Association Green only needed 19 overs to knock off the required runs with Rahul finishing unbeaten on 57.

2005-06 HKCA Women's League

In the latest match of the 2005-06 HKCA Women's League, Lamma scorfed a 54 run victory over HKCC Willow Wielders at Po Kong Village Road.

Batting first, Lamma posted an impressive 219 without loss from their 35 overs, with 2004-05 Women's Player of the Year Neisha Pratt scoring 123 not out whilst Emma Phillips contributed an unbeaten 82. In reply, the HKCC women were restricted to 165-1 with Natasha Miles scored 82 not out and Betty Chan 46.

Lamma currently lead the 2005-06 Points Table with HKCC Willow Wielders and KCC vying for second.

Related Links

2005-06 HKCA Sunday League

• 2005-06 HKCA Sunday League Results
• 2005-06 HKCA Sunday League Points Table
• 2005-06 HKCA Sunday League Honours Board

2005-06 HKCA Women's League

• 2005-06 HKCA Women's League Results