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The Beach Cricket Sixes 2018 –
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The work was all set by the time the first overseas visitors arrived – the pitch was pieced together, wicket leveled and prepared, boundary markers spread out and flags pitched, all looking good and ready for another LCC Big Bash Beach Cricket.
As the teams arrived, rules were discussed, programme of games distributed and the teams for the tournament were ready to rumble under overcast skies: • Lamma ~ Moa Buccaneers ~ Cap’n Benny • Lamma ~ The Swashbucklers ~ Cap’n Godders • Lamma ~ Mui Wo Mutineers (Cup holders/Castle keepers) ~ Cap’n Richie • Discovery Bay ~ Sea Eagles ~ Cap’n Nilesh The first game was Moa Buccaneers versus The Swashbucklers and The Swashbucklers came out convincing winners. This was followed by DB Sea Eagle versus the defending champions, The Mutineers, where DB were bowled out cheaply before the required runs were knocked off at a rapid rate. After the first round of games it looked like The Swashbucklers were the favourites for this year, however first blood went to the competitive Mutineers in their next round-robin game. The Moa Buccaneers were boosted by the late but welcome arrival of Ching before their game with The Mutineers who were off colour for this match. The game was well won by Buccaneers. This final result meant that all 3 LCC teams had played 3 games, won 2 and lost one with the DB Sea Eagles losing all 3 of their matches. The finalists had to be separated by run rate with The Mutineers just scraping past The Moa Buccaneers to meet The Swashbucklers in the Castle Cup. The DB team had made a decent fist of their matches but were outplayed by all 3 LCC teams. They were well supported and appreciated their efforts, bats and balls. The Plastic Spade (well it wasn’t a wooden spoon) was played out between The Moa Buccaneers and DB Sea Eagles. The Moa Buccaneers took an easy victory so it was for the DB Sea Eagles to take the Spade back home to DB. To the Castle Cup Final and The Swashbucklers won the toss and put The Mutineers into bat. It was obviously a bat first wicket as a massive 121 runs were plundered to defend their Cup. Nearly 50% of the runs came in one over off the bat of Boots in the fourth double-run-count over. It was too much for the pretenders to the crown and The Mutineers were once again the victors of The Castle Cup, making it the third year running! Sadly this was cap'n Richie's last match for The Mutineers as he sails away to other shores, so who knows how the defence for The Mutineers will go for next year? Player of the Tournament went to Justin with his big hitting and tidy bowling throughout the tournament. He was presented with a magnum of Moa South Pacific IPA from Tournament Director, 'Boots' Davies, but there were plenty of notable contributions from all the teams that competed. The preparation and ground work was carried on from Rigger’s fine legacy and it was led by Boots with (mostly) able assistance from Richie, Brenton & Chucker. A hearty appreciation goes out to their hard work in preparation and organisation for this very popular event. Thanks too to Malky for the use of his PA system, Moa for their contribution of fine ales and to various friends who joined in to make it the successful day it was. |
