Tong v Caribbean (Hepworth Cup) Match Report (by Karl Banks)

As the rain fell gently down onto the field and the players stood watching the FA Cup final build up on the pavilion television, Nick sneaked out and quietly lost the toss against the Division 1 leaders and was asked to bat. The rain prevented any play immediately but did promote gentle mickey taking from anyone who past by. Duncan (dog boy) Hawkins came from the outfield and shook his wet mane dry in the dressing room, Haseeb spoke of his pre match warm up routine (not a real shock to us) and Martin advised us that Shepard's pie makes a fantastic breakfast.

As the rain subsided the returning Nad and last weeks big run scorer Kuram strode out to the middle along with 11 highly eager Caribbean's. The match had been reduced to 34 over's and while Nick was still getting to grips with the rule book surrounding a reduced over's game, a start had been made. Some tight & accurate bowling was being produced by the Caribbean's opening pair and even singles were hard to come by especially from the damp outfield. Just as Nad began to open his shoulders, Kuram fell to a catch from Claude and the caribb's celebrated in a style you would expect from getting one of their ex players out.

Pictures Left to Right: Nad takes an early guard, Graeme disgruntled at either the worst LBW of the day or the price of sliced cheese, Adam shows rare defence.

Graeme and Nick both came in a were out, Greame to the only LBW of the day and probably the only one that wasn't out and Nick caught by one the got big on him (difficult at 6ft 5 i know but it happened). Once he had got of the phone to David Graveney to see if there was some rule as to the vice captain stopping the game for bad weather Martin strode out and apart from the ball that finally got him out look steady and set. He played a great anchor innings which proved pivotal in the game. Even though Kanu had just scored for Portsmouth and scuppered his free bet from The Sun, Martin remained stead fast and safe at the crease. After a couple of great 4's Nad, eventually fell and Tong were struggling. Moassam fell quickly for 0 and Tong were down to the lower middle and tail. Adam began his innings with a sturdy defence shot that i don't believe that we thought was in his armory. Next he spanked the Caribbean opener for 6. After only a few balls he was quickly up to 21 with some great shots and hitting. One shot too many, and in came Haseeb (hoodie and all). A steady start gave no indication of what was to come. An absolute cracker of an innings in which he stripped the carrib's bowling to pieces. Some fantastic stroke play and again big hitting should have prove to the caribb's what a player he could be (an old score settled Haseeb). He was eventually bowled but came scampering off in manner not seen since Duncan last chased a cat across the outfield, and received pats on the back all round. Stevie Gowers came in and showed the bowling the same kind of disregard with a quick fire 29 not out with another display that showed that Tong do bat a long way down the order. A total of 186 from only 34 overs meant that Tong had set a challenging total for Caribbean to chase.

Tong came out quickly after tea and anxious to get stuck into the batting order of the Caribb's and for the first few over's Adam fired in with great pace and Duncan backed him up with some steady bowling down the hill. However the Caribbean openers began to look like they were going to get to the total easily with some massive hits and quality boundaries. Opener Bowes in particular hit some good 4's.

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Pictures Left to Right: Duncan's opening spell, Nad slows the run rate with accurate bowling, a split second later and Adam breaks the bails.

Nad came on first change and while the crowd (Karl & Patrick) looked for the last ball of Dunc's over. Nad took the first wicket with his first ball. With this wicket came a slowing of the Caribbean's scoring as Tong built pressure with the light failing, tight bowling and sharp fielding. Chances came and went. Two attempted caught behinds, what was felt as close LBW's and what has to be the most acrobatic attempt and a catch at the boundary by Haseeb. Adam's second spell brought him a wicket, clean bowled with the ball of the innings and Duncan's second spell brought a worrying hamstring strain. Not only for next weeks game against Saville, but also the increasing cost in vets bills. Bowers (Caribbean) past his fifty to the applause of all who were watching and continued to bludgeon his way to an unbeaten 75 and with great support from Bell (30 n.o). So with only 3 over's left, Duncan with a hamstring and Martin receiving a hefty blow in an area you just wouldn't want one the game ended with a massive six over into the field.

So Tong exit from the Hepworth Cup but it is with no disgrace as the Division One leaders were pushed all the way by a team with a continued team spirit that encapsulates what this sport is all about. Tong have a team, and a team that are willing to play for each other and fight to win.

Good luck at the vets Dunc, get that back sorted Nad and keep on the lemsip James and well see ya all at Saville.