HQ CRICKET - THE LUCK OF THE DRAW
The HASS(HQ)RA Cricket team had high hopes of making good progress in this year's Curtis Bennett Shield knockout competition, following on from the success of last year when two 10 wicket victories saw the team reach the 3rd round. However, we had not accounted for the luck of the draw. Having made a good start, receiving a 1st round bye, we were drawn at home in the 2nd round to the 1994 champions, Customs & Excise. Needless to say, a very, very strong side. On a beautiful day at Chiswick in early May, Customs won the toss and chose to bat. Their openers made quick progress and put on 192 for the 1st wicket. At the end of their 40 overs the Customs team had amassed a massive 304 runs for 2. John Newton (DH) and Paul Lees (DH) took a wicket apiece for HQ, in what turned out to be a very long afternoon in the sun. Against a varied attack, the HQ side made a respectable 113 for 3 in reply, and denied the Customs team any opportunity to quickly brush us aside. Bipin Panchasara (DH) saw a great deal of the strike and top-scored for HQ with 63, Andrew Ainger (CSA) made 27 and Carole Cumino (DH) a solid 23 not out.
The team's attention now turns to the unofficial plate competition, the "Gordon Bennett Trophy".