KEQMS Malta Cricket Tour 2004

Malta Cricket Tour 2024

Malta

The group arrived in good spirits into Malta on Thursday night / Friday morning after a good journey. It was however past 2.30 am until all were in bed.

After an early breakfast the group arrived at Marsa Sports Club in plenty of time for their game against Stockport. In the early morning heat it seemed ironic to be replaying Stockport Grammar in a game that had been cancelled at Lytham in late June due to heavy rain. The forecast was for today to be in the late 30s, and Stockport had been here since Tuesday and were somewhat more used to it therefore.

The Sports Club is great facility. There is a Royal golf course, excellent tennis courts, a full size swimming pool, a cricket pitch of course, and excellent changing and bar facilities. We were welcomed by Wally and his brother Ernie. They have been playing at Marsa Club for some considerable years, and still are. Several years ago Wally broke the record for the oldest International cricketer at 65, he is now 72, and still playing. They were tremendously welcoming and full of stories of the island’s cricket and history.

Richard Openshaw won the toss for only the third time this season and bowled first. This is ‘the done thing’ to avoid fielding in the real heat of the day after the lunch break, when everyone else on the island sleeps. The game was of 40 overs each and Lytham began very well. Openshaw and Jones had a wicket each and Stockport were 16 for 2 after 8 overs. The bowlers generally did well. Anything down leg side was wided, and Lytham bowled just 8, compared to Stockport’s 22. The fielding was more erratic especially as the game went on. There is a noticeable change in the enthusiasm of all teams that play here it is said after 20 overs. Drinks are taken after every 10 overs, and it was not long this day until the temperatures soared. In mid-afternoon it was 38C, hotter than that in the middle. There was a breeze though that certainly helped the comfort level of the players. Stockport fought back well as the ball deteriorated in condition and ran especially well between the wickets. Their total was about par it was felt for the conditions.

Lytham received a blow when Tom Shillito tried to take a sharp chance at extra. The ball went through his hands and split the webbing of his fingers. He returned from hospital 2 hours later with 4 stitches, but he and Mr Rudd were full of compliments for the Maltese health system.

After a splendid lunch in the air conditioned bar Lytham began their reply. Sam Ormsby was out trying to force the pace after a steady start, and there

was another blow when James Atherton retired unwell after 30 minutes at the crease with a recurrence of flu symptoms he suffered at the start of the Festival. The captain then took the game to Stockport and was well supported by the in form Jones. At 123 for 2 KEQMS were in the driving seat. Both batsmen were out to poor shots however shortly afterwards, and though Atherton returned with health restored, a minor collapse ensued. Without Shillito and Jackson in the middle order the target was just too many.

Formalities took place after the conclusion and the teams retired to the pool and then the bar, before returning to their accommodation and meeting later to discuss the finer points of the game.

Today has been a rest day. After a pool session this morning the team has been sightseeing in the island’s capital Valletta. Some took a lunch of local cuisine, octopus or mussel salad, others opted to be less bold in Macdonalds. There was some shelter from the searing heat in the excellent War Museum before the ferry journey back across the harbour for another pool session and dinner.

Tomorrow sees Lytham up against a strong Marsa XI. Marsa has a huge cricket membership, but the team they field at the weekend is usually a strong one.

Stockport Grammar – 212 for 9. 40 overs.

Bowling: R.Openshaw 8 – 1 – 16 – 3; N.Jones 8 – 1 – 35 – 2; S.Ormsby 5 – 0 –33 – 0; C.Tong 5 – 0 – 30 – 0; T.Appleby 6 – 0 – 32 – 0; J.Whittam 8 – 0 – 39 –2

KEQMS

J.Atherton

S.Ormsby

R.Openshaw *

N.Jones

D.Tufft

J.Whittam

T.Appleby

J.Williams

C.Tong

J.Robinson

A.Cole +

Man of the match: Richard Openshaw

Purdon

Hewitt

Trunks

Malta Cricket Tour – Match Report 2

Monday 12th July

Once again high temperatures today but that did not deter us from our second cultural visit to Valletta. We traveled over from Sliema on the ferry and spent a couple of hours in St. Johns Cathedral and looking at Caravaggio paintings from the 16th and 17th century. At least that was Phill, Pam and I. The boys opted for a round of golf at the Royal course or chilling by the pool. Our lunch was octopus, fresh tuna and the local delicacy of rabbit, theres was Macdonalds again. Some have tried the local cuisine and enjoyed it, and the food at the hotel is excellent and varied.

It has been an enjoyable rest day following a great game and a good win yesterday, and then of course the celebrations.

We lost the toss for the early 9 am start at Marsa against the local team. There side this day included 4 Malta players, not least their skipper who is one of their most successful batters. As I have said before, most teams try to field first before the real heat of the day, but we were more fortunate this Sunday morning. The heat was intense in the morning, 39C in the shade. Although the temperature rose in the afternoon a breeze got up and made the comfort rating more acceptable.

There was little movement for the Marsa bowlers at all, although they bowled accurately. After a steady start Sam Ormsby was out with the score at 31. In a record for the season Openshaw and Atherton then took the score to 202. This was a huge effort in the heat and both players batted with maturity and excellent shot selection. They took drinks at first every 5 overs, but this reduced to every 2 overs as the partnership progressed. With no fielding rings there are more men on the boundary so more running between the wickets. The partnership included 12 all run 3s and one all run 4 (to the humour of the Marsa players!). Openshaw was first out for 81, and James Atherton not long after for 88. Richard hit 12 boundaries and James 9 as well as a huge six over backward square on this big boundary.

Nick Jones kept things going well and with support form the middle order a good total was possible.

After a 45 minute lunch break in the air conditioned bar it was back out to the 40+ temperatures. Marsa began well and at the first drinks interval they were 68 for 0 from 10 overs with both openers but particularly their captain well set. It was Nick Jones and Sam Ormsby who applied the brakes. Nick was exhausted but continued his bowling efforts from game 1 with his steady seam up and plenty of slower balls. He got the ball to swing

late which no one had up until then, and after his spell Tom Appleby was just as effective and also swung the ball. Sam at the other end bowled his best spell of the season to date. He was accurate and got the ball to turn. It was him that accounted for the skipper, the key wicket, and after that Marsa were always behind the rate. Towards the end, Ashok, John Batty and Chris Tong bowled good spells also.

There were post-match formalities in which the big batting partnership as well as the leg spin bowling of both sides was praised. The teams had 20 minutes in the pool before socialising together in the Marsa Sports Club rooms. KEQMS were a much improved side from the previous game, and it will be remembered as one of the great wins of the season.

KEQMS J.Atherton S.Ormsby R.Openshaw * N.Jones D.Tufft + P.Jackson T.Appleby J.Batty J.Whittam

st Anchovy

st Anchovy b Olive b Cisk

c Capers

st Anchovy c Captain c Captain c Captain not not

40 overs

Did not bat: C.Tong, A.Velivela.

Marsa CC – 189 all out. 38.3 overs.

b Cisk

b Morgan

b Morgan

b Morgan

b Morgan

Bowling – R.Openshaw 5 – 0 – 30 – 0; P.Jackson 3 – 0 – 20 – 0; N.Jones 6 – 0 – 23 – 1; J.Whittam 3 – 0 – 26 – 0; S.Ormsby 8 – 0 –37 – 3; T.Appleby 4 – 0 –12 – 2; A.Velivela 3 – 1 – 6 – 1; C.Tong 2 – 0 – 9 – 0; J.Batty 1.3 – 0 – 3 – 1.

KEQMS won by 78 runs

Man of the Match: James Atherton

Thursday 15th July

Many of our players are feeling the effects of the sun today and are enjoying a quiet morning around the Hotel before a celebratory lunch and our flight home at 5 pm.

Yesterday for many would have been the highlight of our short tour. We took a cruise, 'The Spirit of Malta' boat around the island. The group chose to sit in a net on the catamaran at the very front of the boat and got soaked by the waves as we headed north. There were two swimming stops and a visit to the island of Gozo, as well as a magnificent lunch and an open bar. The swimming opportunities were fantastic for the group, deep and clear water, and some good jumps from nearby rocks.

Later in the evening the group took their formal 'end of tour' meal and there were presentations. We had been lucky during the week to play against the owners of the Krishna Indian restuarant whjo looked after us very well during the evening. Champagne was opened to celebrate the 'champagne moments' of the season and this successful tour.

The previous day the group secured their second win against the local side. Earlier in the week the Stockport team had been beaten twice by the locals. Conditions were more pleasant for cricket. The high was 29C and a stiff breeze blew all day. James Atherton was skipper for the day and he continued Openshaw's poor record with the toss so that Lytham found themselves fielding first. The seamers persevered but there was no assistance for them and consequently no lateral movement. Openshaw bowled quiet quickly and made a break through, but the going was tough until Ormsby was called upon. Sam's bowling has continued to improve all season, and this progress has been exaggerated on tour. Although he may have bowled 7 or 8 bad balls in his spell to most of the home side he was unplayable. He managed a five wicket haul which was quite a feat on this artificial surface. He clean bowled two batsmen, had one caught, and Andy Cole, who had a good day behind the stumps, stumped two. The support bowling of Jackson, Whittam and Jones was accurate, particularly Jones who got through his allocation without a wide. Marsa were therfeore kept to 167.

Lytham were rarely troubled in response The excellent temprament of the opening pair was shown again as they put on 103 for the first wickte Although Atherton was first to 50, and first out, Sam outscored him in terms of run rate James made his total for the season 725, the highes since Lee Hilton in 1997 Openshaw hit a quick 30 in support of Ormsby, but it was the leg spinner and openming bat who grabbed the headlines on this day He became the first all rounde since Lee Blackett in 1996 to take 5 wickets and hit a 50 in the same match, and obviously took the Man of The Match award.

Marsa CC - 167 all out. 39.3 overs.

Bowling - R.Openshaw 8 - 1 - 22 - 2; P.Jackson 8 - 0 - 30 - 0; N.Jones 7.3 - 2 - 16 - 1; J.Whittam 4 - 0 - 23 - 0; A.Velivela 2 - 0 - 21 - 1; S.Ormsby 8 - 1- 32 - 5; J.Robinson 2 - 0 - 17 0.

KEQMSJ.Atherton

S.Ormsby

R.Openshaw

32.2 overs

TOTAL 169 for 1 wicket

Did not bat: J.Batty, N.Jones, D.Tufft, P.Jackson, A.Cole +, A.Velivela, J.Whittam and J.Williams.

KEQMS won by 9 wickets

Man of the Match: Sam Ormsby

Tour Awards: Man of the Match: Richard Openshaw v. Stockport Grammar

James Atherton Sam Ormsby v Marsa 1 v Marsa 2

Other cricketing awards: Nick Jones, John Whittam, Andy Cole, Ashok Velivela. Golf championship: David Tufft / John Batty (shared)

Champagne moments: Several mentions from the season including:

the two centuries, Jones and Atherton, the four five wicket hauls, Hassan, Openshaw, Robinson and Ormsby Jackson catch to finish the game against Giggleswick, Tufft's six scattering the under 14s at Lancaster, Jones's back flick run out against Burnley, Reg's nick behind at the death against QEGS

From cricket on tour:

2 big sixes on the huge pitch, Atherton and Openshaw, Reg's new style of fielding, Wally's first ball to Openshaw, to Tom Shillito who's top effort at the catch resulted in stitches

From off the field on tour (Censored!):

J.Williams being bench pressed by friend, J.Whittam's golf efforts, R.Openshaw pool accident, J.Williams long swim back to the boat on our cruise, won by Sam pushing Tom Appleby into the pool fully clothed.

Player of the Tour: Sam Ormsby

Top Tripper: John Williams

In response Richard Openshaw and Peter Jackson spoke and thanked the tour management and made appropriate presentations.

In summary Andy Weston said how successful the tour had been, and pointed out that there was still a day left to enjoy! He also commented on the excellent way the group had conducted themselves, which had been commented on by many of the opposition's players, the hotel staff and the crew of 'The Spirit of Malta'.