Nine centurions in weekend run-fest

No less than nine batsmen notched centuries in the latest round of league matches. Three centuries were hit in Saturday League matches by Kai Tak's Mohsen Naqvi, SubCont's Rahul Shambus and HKU's Khalid Qureshi - his second of the season. A further six centuries were scored in Sunday action - with three coming in a single game. Rahul Sharma and Naeem Ashraf hit three figures for Templars against Pakistan Association Green whilst Ankur Sharma hit another century in reply. Two centuries were hit in the Pakistan Association versus Infidels match by Nasir Hameed and Manoj Cheruparambil whilst Azhar Illahi notched his second century of the season for LSW.

Unseasonably warm conditions greeted players as they took to the field in round 17 of the Saturday League played on 14th January 2006.

The most anticipated match of the day pitted two of the top sides against each other as SubCont took on last season's champions LSW Warriors at the Po Kong Village Road Number 1 ground. Batting first, LSW Warriors were dismissed for 208 with Ankur Sharma claiming four wickets for SubCont. Sharma then scored 70 runs and Rahul Shambus hit an unbeaten 103 as SubCont cruised an easier than expected victory.

Another fine all round performance was achieved by Irfan Ahmed at the Po Kong Village Road Number 2 ground where the Hong Kong Under-19s beat Centaurs by 53 runs. Irfan top scored with 46 in the Under-19s total of 195 and then claimed four wickets as Centaurs were dismissed for 152 in reply.

HKU maintained their position at the top of the Saturday League points table as they thrashed Mainlanders by 133 runs at Sandy Bay. Khalid Qureshi belted 122 and Husssain Butt and Z Khan hit half-centuries as HKU smashed 324-6 off their 35 overs. Mohsin claimed three wickets for the Mainlanders. In reply, Mainlanders scored 212-8 with Najeeb Amar hitting a half century, while Tahir Khan claimed three wickets for HKU.

Saracens moved into ssecond place on the table with a hard won 39-run victory over Police at the Police Training College. Saiket Sen grabbed four wickets as Saracens much vaunted batting line-up was bundled out for 179. In reply, Police were restricted to 140 with Naeem Ashraf and Ravi Sujanani claiming three wickets apiece.

The best game of the day was arguably the match at KowloonCricket Club where Kai Tak beat Crusaders in a high scoring match. Kai Tak smashed an impressive total of 291-7 off their 35 overs with Mohsen Naqvi hitting his maiden century in Hong Kong whilst Malcom Brown pitched in with a fine 74. Only a late flurry of wickets by Imran Farcy kept the score from hitting 300 plus. Crusaders set about the chase in determined fashion and half centuries by openers Damian Kelleher and Anthony Barnet kept the scoreboard ticking over. The loss of a couple wickets only served to increase the tempo as Mohana Marzook launched a blistering assault on the bowlers, smashing the first four balls of one over out of the ground. Unfortunately for Crusaders it didn't last and after Marzook was dismissed the task proved too much for the remaining batsmen as they came up short of their target by just 17 runs.

At Hong Kong Cricket Club, Nomads claimed HKCC bragging rights as they beat Gap Ramblers by 66 runs. Chris O'Sullivan (92) and Toby Brown (87) set Nomads on their way to a total of 244-6. Gap Ramblers could only manage 178-6 in reply.

In the last match of the day, Witherers scored a 37-run victory over Lamma at Mision Road. Batting first, Witherers totalled 232-3 from their 35 overs with Aaron Stewart top scoring with 88 while Nick Gavin-Brown chipped in with 49. Tauseef Bukhari hit a half century for Lamma but three wickets apiece to Mark Fuzes and D Hardy ensured that Witherers took maximum points from the fixture.

More warm and dry conditions were enjoyed by players in the latest round of Sunday League matches played on 15th January 2006.

For the second weekend in a row, a sensational match was played at Kowloon Cricket Club where Templars took on Pakistan Association Green. What followed was an absolute run-fest as Templars smashed a massive 366-6 from only 46 overs as the Pakistan Association Green bowlers were guilty of a slow over-rate. Rahul Sharma demonstrated that he has lost none of his class as he crashed a brilliant 149 and the former Pakistan international Naeem Ashraf stroked an equally impressive 117 while Jamshed Khan claimed four wickets. Ankur Sharma lead a spirited reply with a hard hitting 129 but after his dismissal the end came rapidly. Ashraf completed a good double by claiming four wickets while Shkawat Ali also claimed three wickets as Pakistan Association Green were dismissed for 268 off 35.4 overs.

It was better news for the other Pakistan Association team who enjoyed a comfortable seven wicket victory over Infidels in a match played at Po Kong Village Road. Batting first, Infidels got away to a good start as skipper Manoj Cheruparambil hit 101. But he failed to get much support from his team-mates as Infidels finished on 225-8 off their 50 overs. Nasir Hameed replied in kind with a century of his own and with Hussain Butt bludgeoning a rapid 60, Pakistan Association cruised to their victory target with 19 overs to spare.

Competition leaders Scorpions ensured they stayed ahead of the the chasing pack by claiming maximum points against Millennium at Mission Road. Khalid Qureshi and Waseem Imtiaz scored half centuries as Millennium were dismisssed for 244 in the 45th over. Ryan Eagleson and Phil DeFreitas both claimed four wickets for Scorpions. In reply, the Scorpions made light work of the chase as Tim Smart, Mark Kratzmann and DeFreitas all hit half centuries as they reached their target in the 43rd over for the loss of only two wickets.

Scorpions were looking to their clubmates Optimists to do them a favour by beating Little Sai Wan in theiur match played at Hong Kong Cricket Club. But it was LSW who held the upper hand throughout. Batting first, they scored 287 off their 50 overs with Azhar Illahi hitting an unbeaten 115 and Munir Dar scoring 68. Michael Jamieson claimed three wickets for Optimists. Five Optimists batsmen scored over 30 but none went on to the big score that was needed to see them through to victory as they succumbed to the spinners of Nadeem Ahmed and Jawaid Iqbal who both claimed three wickets. Little Sai Wan eased to victory by 62 runs as Optimists were eventually dismissed for 225 in 47 overs.

The KCC women scored a comfortable nine wicket victory over LSW in their match played at Po Kong Village Road.

Batting first, LSW batted well to score 148-8 off their 35 overs with Shaminda Wickramasinghe hitting 34 and Keenu hitting 45. Wickets fell at regualr intervals after their partnership was broken, with Renee Montgomery claiming three wickets. And Montgomery led KCC's reponse as she scored 64 not out while Sarah Eames finished unbeaten on 47 as KCC eased to victory for the loss of only one wicket.