Mark Fuzes strikes a century as reigning champions stumble in first day action

Optimists skipper Mark Fuzes blazed his way to a century as both reigning Saturday League and Sunday League champions suffered losses in the opening rounds of the 2006-07 Saturday and Sunday League competitions played in scorching conditions over the weekend of 2-3 September 2006.

The first round of the 2006-07 HKCA Saturday League was played on 2nd September 2006 with just eight of the eighteen teams in action.

At Hong Kong Cricket Club, Lamma Cricket Club beat Witherers by seven wickets. Lamma have acquired the services of Hussain Butt this season and together with their other seasoned campaigners, they look to be one of the teams to beat this season. In the match itself, Witherers batted first and were dismissed for 175 with Arron Stewart top scoring with 40. For Lamma, Sher Lama opened his wicket haul for the season by claiming four scalps whilst Hussain Butt claimed three. Sher Lama completed an excellent double by scoring an unbeaten 56. He combined with Tauseef Bukhari (59*) in a match winning partnership as Lamma eased to a comfortable victory.

At the Po Kong Village Road, Mainlanders defeated last year's Saturday League champions, SubCont, now playing under the name of SCC Vampires, by 29 runs. Batting first, Mainlanders scored 166-9 from their 35 overs. In reply, the Vampires were dismissed for 137 with Zafaran Ali and Shakeel claiming three wickets apiece.

In the second match at Po Kong Village Road, new team Laguna Gully got their league history off to a winning start as they defeated Centaurs by two wickets. Cenaturs batted first but were restricted to 158-9 from their 35 overs with Steve Brammar top scoring with 43. In reply, Vikram Tareja scored an undefeated 41 as Laguna Gully scampered to victory by eight wickets. Chandrin Dissanayake claimed three wickets for Centaurs.

LSW Warriors scored the most impressive victory of the day as they thumped MCC St George's by 63 runs at Mission Road. Tabarak Dar lead the Warriors batting effort with 73 whilst he received good support from Jawaid Iqbal (44) and Azhar Illahi (47) as the Warriors racked up an impressive 264-6 from their 35 overs. Tabarak then picked up four wickets as St George's were dismissed for 201 with Muneer Dar also claiming three wickets. For St George's, Aftab top scored with an unbeaten 51.

Related Links:

Optimists sprung a surprise on their fellow HKCC clubmates and defending Sunday League champions, Scorpions, with a stunning ten wicket victory at Hong Kong Cricket Club in the opening round of the 2006-07 HKCA Sunday League. Mark Fuzes was instrumental in orchestrating his teams victory as he firstly claimed three wickets as Scorpions were dismissed for 180 and then blazed his way to an undefeated 135 as Optimitsts stormed to victory in just 27 overs. For Scorpions, Tiim Smart hit 61 and Nick Gavin-Brown 46 whilst Gittens claimed four wicktes and Jeremy Glaros picked up three for Optimists.

Pakistan Association, who are returning to a single team outfit in 2006-07, got their campaign off to a shaking start as they beat Millenium CC by four wickets in a low scoring match played at Mission Road. Chasing just 82 for victory, Pakistan Association lost six wickets in the process. The Pakistan Association bowlers enjoyed excellent rewards with Jamshaid Khan claiming four wickets while Illyas Gull claimed three.

In the final match of the day played at Po Kong Village Road, Little Sai Wan enjoyed a comfortable seven wicket victory over SCC Vagabonds, who are returning to the competition after a one year break. Batting first, Vagabonds were dismissed in the 37th over for just 67 runs with Zafaran Ali collecting four wickets. Little Sai Wan had little trouble as they cruised to victory in 11.1 overs for the loss of three wickets.

Related Links: