HKFC and HKCC Squashers Give Cricket Team run for their Money
In March a combined HKFC and HKCC Squash section cricket team was put together to test their true sporting ability against the HKCC Taverners cricket team.
On a fantastic sunny day which was ideal for cricket the 6 HKFC players had a little trepidation prior to the match due to in some cases not playing since school which for most was a significant time ago.
The squash combined team won the toss and elected to bat first. A slow start ensued with the Taverners team starting with too very tight line and length bowlers which made it difficult to score easily. Rob Jones (2 runs) who opened the batting was unlucky when a good full ball was edged to slip and well held to bring in Keith Frith. As Keith is one of the few players who regularly plays cricket his class showed by keeping the scoreboard ticking over with some fine shots including some nice off drives. At the other end John Thompson the other opener was struggling to get the ball away and was happy to see the opening pair of bowlers replaced in the 10th over.
Unfortunately this was the time when the Taverners upped the pace and put on two quicks which made the scoring even harder. Keith got to thirty three and retired to bring in Malcolm Kerr (14 runs) who started well with some nice cut shots. John by this time was trying anything he could to get runs and after being dropped was then caught and bowled in the next over for 14. The HKCC squash star player Chris Evans increased the scoring rate with some fantastic long sixes down the ground and was quickly to his 30 and retired.
This brought in Chairman Dave Cross who hit some excellent fours to quickly get to 30 and retire. By then the scoring rate was going well and the lower order all gave a good account of themselves and adding runs to the scoreboard with Dallas Reid getting 8 not out. The squash team proved that they have true hand eye coordination and managed to score 190 in the allotted 35 overs.
With bowling being slightly more technical and less like a squash swing than batting it was always going to be tough to keep the real cricketers at bay which ended up being the case. The opening bowlers did well keeping the run rate low with Keith Frith being very miserly and going for 18 off his 5 overs. Dave Cross got two wickets with some nice on the spot bowling showing his Yorkshire roots finishing with figures of 2 for 23.
John Thompson managed to also get a wicket for 26 runs in his 5 overs and Malcolm showed that Scots can play cricket with a steady 9 off his 2 overs. Dallas ably kept wicket showing that he does indeed have a good pair of hands.
The Taverners managed to get the runs with 6 overs to spare and won the game. A great post cricket analysis of the game then ensued with Rob Jones winning the team’s moment of the day for putting his thigh pad on his wrong leg.
The day was so successful that a full HKFC squash team have been asked back to play a HKCC squash team in the near future.