Kaipaki’s season stutters in final game of 2015…….
 
Game: Kaipaki Gold vs Good Guys
Venue: Raymond Park (Artificial)  
Date: Saturday 12th December 2015
Weather: Warm, Dry, Humid, Sunny, Arid, Balmy , Not Wet, Not Cold
Toss: Kaipaki Won Toss and Elected To Bat
 
Team / Batting Order: T Kapadia, H. Baker, J. Mitchinson, K. Bell, D. Bellis, M. Kapadia, N. Binnie, D. Faville, J. Collins, Z. Bratton, Dom Pom  
 
Result: Good Guys Won By  Wickets
 
Match Statistics:
Kaipaki 201 / 5 in 35 overs
Kaipaki Batting: James Mitchinson 87, T. Kapadia 39, Wides 12
 
Good Guys: 202/5 in 32 Overs
 
Match Summary
 
The day dawned bright on the Kapadia Oval (Raymond Park) last Saturday as Kaipaki Gold took on the defending champions, Good Guys.
 
Last season’s loss at the same venue was studied in detail prior to the match and measures put into place so to not repeat some of those cock ups again. I.E. untidy line and length and woeful fielding. (Merry Xmas to you Fav)
 
A Co-Captaincy policy was adopted and HRE Baker and T Kapadia elected to bat. The fact that Good Guys only had 9 available at that stage played a major part in that decision.
 
A solid start at the top of the order by Messrs Baker & Kapadia (that’s why we were captains) saw Kaipaki  establish a sound opening partnership.
 
It wasn’t until HRE Baker was undone by a ball that seamed at least 3 feet and took out his middle peg. “Virtually unplayable” was the call echoed around the ground.
 
Enter one young Pom, James, who swaggered to the crease with confidence written all over his face. Although this may have been obscured slightly by the gay head band he also wore.
 
Within a few overs he had a well composed 50 on the board, while Taz Kapadia had very uncharacteristically only added 4. Boooorrring.
 
At the 25 over mark, Kaipaki seemed bound to post a score of 250 plus but some very tight bowling by Good Guys at the death, limited the score to just over 200. Much to Doc McStuffins disgrace who decided the only way he was going to bat up the order was convince us he had to attend the Chiefs Xmas function.
 
Nice little cameo I might add though.
 
James produce a stylish 87 with only the openers and Wides contributing any other scores of note.
 
Undoubtedly the highlight of the day was the much anticipated lunch provided by Mrs Kapadia. OMG – Ash outshone herself again with perhaps the most divine collection of “lunch time nibbles” seen at a Kaipaki fixture. Naturally the bowlers declined the feast to concentrate on their line, length and energy levels.
 
Nick Binnie obviously missed this message and regretted the extra strawberry swirls he swallowed before opening from the far end.
 
The other Pom opened up with great gusto and pace but again heavily influenced by the gay headband,  only managed the one wicket.
 
Dave Faville came on first change and moved the ball this way and that. (A theme that would come back to haunt him in field later in the day. Although the least said about that - the better ah Fav…)
 
The bowlers toiled away but the score kept ticking over without the necessary wickets required for a victory. In the end Good Guys claimed victory with 3 overs to spare and 5 wickets in reserve.
 
Of particular note was the bowling of one  Deane  “Kaipaki Cricketer Of The Year 2010-11” Bellis, who showed his mastery of the medium pace. Shame the same could not be said for his fielding.
 
Musti Kapadia moved a step closer to claiming the No1 spinners spot with 2 wickets, however that may change in the New Year as I have just come into some very revealing dirt on Bones. Bribery is a very powerful tool.
 
Special thanks to young Zac Bratton for filling in at short notice and Jacko Collins for donning the gloves and taking a caught behind up close.
 
So our undefeated run comes to an end as does 2015.
 
2016 promises much as we look to kick on and finish in the top four.
 
Merry Xmas to you all and again thank you Ash for your hospitality, our player of the day without a doubt. Well it certainly wasn’t going to be Fav…..
 
Cheers
 
Howie….

Kaipaki, although underwhelming with bat, still manage to beat Tech Mongrels….!
 
Game: Kaipaki Gold vs Fraser Tech
Venue: Kaipaki Oval (Artificial)  
Date: Saturday 12th December 2015 (My Wedding Anniversary !)
Weather: Wet in the morning, clearing around mid morning ??, actually clearing around lunchtime
Toss: Kaipaki Won Toss and (eventually) Elected To Bat
 
Team / Batting Order: T Kapadia, D. Armstrong, M. Kapadia, M. Lowe , B. Strang, WCD Clifford, NG Binnie, K. Bell, J. Collins, H. Baker, DA Faville,  
 
Result: Kaipaki Won By 43 Runs
 
Match Statistics:
Kaipaki 159 All Out in 32 overs
Kaipaki Batting: Matt Lowe 43, D. Armstrong 24, Wides 24
 
Tech Mongrels: 116 All Out in 31 Overs
 
Match Summary
 
The dawned wet – very wet ! The forecasters had it clearing mid morning.
 
Mid morning came and went – and it was still wet. However around 11.30am the clouds broke and we were on !
 
Skipper D. Armstrong, won the Toss and as this was the first time he actually had to toss a coin and make a decision – he panicked and quickly had to turn to his Team mates for a democratic vote…... It was unanimous – we would bat….it was also decided to keep the NZ Flag the same and that Louisa should win X-Factor…
 
T Kapadia opened the batting with D. Armstrong – and they got into their work early – 20/0 after 2 overs.
 
Kapadia was the first to go – after telling Armstrong in the break between overs to “keep everything on the ground, there are plenty of runs to be had here”….he skied the first ball of the next over straight to mid wicket.
 
This bought the better looking Kapadia brother to the crease – but his stay was short lived – LBW for 9.
 
Armstrong was the next to go – after hitting their poxy offspinner for 6  off the first ball of the over– he was out next ball after his stumps were rearranged.
 
This bought debutant Matt Lowe to the crease and he showed what anchoring the innings was all about….after a cautious start – he laid some classic cover drives and straight drives on his way to 43…
 
However there was all sorts of carnage at the other end….B. Strang, W. Clifford, N. Binnie, K. Bell and J. Collins – all back in the hutch quickly – with a total of 18 runs between them.
 
So – at 111/8 we were in a bit of trouble – but Howie Baker (14) and Dave Faville (10*) got us through to a defendable 159.
 
After the lunch break, it was Faville who opened up with the new ball. Bowling downwind quickly dropped onto a good line and length. Kaipaki’s No. 1 Spinner – W. Clifford – starting at the other end .
 
Both opening batsmen were dropped in the first 2 overs – and we all had thoughts that this could be an omen of what was to come this afternoon…
 
However in Favilles 3rd over – he caught the edge of the bat and Keeper Armstrong, winding back the years, took a diving one handed catch low to the ground….which removed the dangerous opener for 14.
 
Clifford then trumped that with 2 wickets in his 3rd over – and the Mongrels were in trouble….
 
Ben Strang came on and bowled 7 overs of tight Legspin – ending up with 3 wickets. And elevating him in the ranks to Kaipaki’s 2nd best Spinner.
 
The Mongrels went to drinks still needing 110 runs off the last 17 overs to win.
 
They must have had the calculators out at drinks – because immediately afterwards they started swinging the bat and wickets began to fall.
 
Kevin Bell toiled away bowling 7 on the trot but it was “The Cleaner” – Musti Kapadia (the good looking one) – who came on and cleaned up the last 2 wickets.
 
Tech Mongrels All Out for 116.
 
It should be mentioned that Musti only came on to bowl as Howie Baker had left the field with a “sore shoulder” – which he “injured” in the process of dropping a catch at 1st slip….which would have been our first Slip catch in 3 years ! .
 
In fairness to Howie – he did actually have hold of the ball but it jolted loose as his arm hit the ground….still goes down as a dropped catch…
 
So a win by 43 runs – and still unbeaten for the season.
 
MVP – Matt Lowe.
Honourable Mention – My Wife – Rebecca – for letting me play on our Wedding Anniversary
 
Cheers
 

Bones
Choreographer / CEO Traffic Management – Kaipaki Christmas In The Park 2015
Kaipaki Gold

All round team display ensure Kaipaki roll on in Claude Cup
 
Game: Kaipaki Gold vs Hamilton Lions
Venue: Steel Park # 2 (Artificial)  
Date: Saturday 5th December 2015
Weather: Sunny and Hot in the middle; cool and shady under the oak trees
Toss: No Toss Required - Kaipaki Captain sweet talked Opposition Captain into bowling first. Kaipaki batted First
 
Team / Batting Order: TG Kapadia, MJ Clayton, DR Fenwick, NG Binnie, RGJ Sim, BJ Leonard, DM Bellis, SW Dalgety, DK Bullock, MK Kapadia, KT Bell
 
Result: Kaipaki Won By 130 odd
 
Match Statistics:
Kaipaki 267 in 35 overs
Kaipaki Batting: MJ Clayton 49, DR Fenwick 46, Brad Leonard 27, Deane Bellis 42,  Wides 33
 
 
Hamilton Lions: 139 All Out in 25.4 overs
 
Match Summary
 
The Team this week included M.Clayton, who was making his Gold 15/16 season debut.
 
After a week of badgering anyone who listened that he was to bat 1, 2 or 3 and that he was going to score 359 in doing so, Clayton was offered the opening position. He duly went about making good on his promise of a triple ton, getting the Gold bit off to a rollicking start. 10 boundaries inside the first 5 overs saw Clayton race to 49 in an opening partnership of 51 with T Kapadia. Unfortunately that’s where it ended, his concentration broken as KFC opened its doors for the lunchtime crowd.
 
Next in was last week’s winner of the NAGG (Not A Good Game) award - D Fenwick, who was determined to put his first ball duck behind him. With some extra net sessions during the week under his belt, Fenwick strode out to the wicket full of self-belief that he couldn’t possible do any worse. A confident shout by the bowler first ball had Fenwick thinking retirement, however it was turned down by the umpire. Fenwick went on to score a well complied 46, guiding the ball to all parts of the ground behind square.
 
N. Binnie and R. Sim – both got good starts reaching double figures but neither could cash in on what was some pretty benign bowling from the first, second and third change bowlers.
 
B.Leonard came in at some point and continued to turn the strike over, collating singles and twos with relative ease. With a few well timed 4’s along the ground to the cover boundary thrown in, Leonard demonstrated traditional batting technique of the highest order and showed why he was Kookaburras’ pin up boy of the early 90’s. His 27 off 27 deliveries ensured that the tail could wag in the final few overs.
 
And wag it did! D.Bellis (sniff..) then came in at the score of 209 for 6 with 3.6 overs to go. Using all his golfing and hockey experience, 30 of his 42 went to and over cow corner. A superb lower order knock as the innings came to an end.
 
After the Lunch Break, Kevin Bell was handed the new ball. With some serious pace and some not so serious line and length - Kevin got the opposition off to a good start going at 8 an over. Extremely unlucky not to pick up a wicket, however his 7 overs of very fast bowling, back to back, means Kevin will be pretty sore today.
 
S Dalgety was the first bowler to claim a wicket, removing the off stump of the opening batsmen who was starting to look like he might get established and make some form of meaningful contribution to the Hamilton Lions run chase.
 
With Kaipaki Gold being low on off spinning stocks for today’s game, it wasn’t until the 14th over that M Kapadia was introduced to the attack. With an arm that went beyond the minimum 45 degrees, Kapadia sent down 4 overs of some of the best spin bowling Kaipaki has seen since 1926. Kapadia ripped through the middle order of the opposition, claiming 4 wickets. With the opposition at 7 down and looking less likely to chase the required runs, a 5 wicket bag and nomination for Kaipaki Player of the Year looked on the cards.
 
However a change in bowler from the KFC end of the ground, brought in B.Leonard who selfishly took the final 3 wickets for 1 run off 1.3 overs. Nice one Leonard…
 
M Kapadia was awarded the Most Valuable Player for his nearly 5 wicket haul. M Clayton awarded Debut of the Season. B Leonard awarded Team Player.  Howie Baker awarded Eighty Third Best Spinner in Club.
 
Deane Bellis
Kaipaki Cricketer Of The Year 1936/37

This weekend we are playing Fraser Tech (Mongrels) at the picturesque and beautifully manicured Kaipaki Oval.
 
Please advise if you are keen……..

Well, as with Saturday’s game, this match report shall be “short & sweet”!!!
 
The morning consisted of numerous phone calls back & forward to confirm if the game would be played, as all other cricket in the central North Island had been cancelled.
 
Kaipaki Gold assembled a formidable line up at the newly refurbished Ohaupo Rugby grounds. 
 
After what will now become “the customary” Howard Baker “Pie Run”, our skipper Darin ‘Bones’ Armstrong again turned to the Jedi mind tricks and won the toss without actually tossing a coin, and Marist were put into bat. 
 
It was decided that with the impending bad weather hanging around, both teams would declare their innings after 20 overs, so in essence, rendering the match a 20/20. 
 
Right from the first over, signs were clear that this would be no ordinary match, with Mitch Mace bowling a great line & length, in what is an “unconfirmed” new record for the Gold team, having a first over bowled with no extras!! 
 
Mitch and Wayne “Red Dog” Clifford set the game up for us with tight bowling and were both rewarded with a wicket or two each and set the tone for what was to follow. 
 
Red Dog again clearly showed that he was Kaipaki’s number one off spinner. (Much to the disgust of one H Baker). 
 
Howie Baker, Doc Kev Bell  - and Kaipaki’s 2nd best Off Spinner, Darin Armstrong -  carried on the start and all bowled great lines, sneering a wicket or two each and restricting Marist to 44 All Out. 
 
Glen Collins again showed is youthful exuberance in the field, and special mention must go to young Jacko Collins who stepped up and played for a depleted Marist side, batting well (smashing Uncle Howie’s pies to all corners of the field), bowling well (getting the prized wicket of Kaipaki’s dangerous looking opener – for a Duck) and to cap it off taking a stunning diving catch close in at cover.  A great “green & gold” future ahead for young Jacko. 
 
So the 45 runs were slowly knocked off (albeit 3 down) but with help from some lusty Nick Binnie blows and by 4pm we were at Bones’ house on the Kaipaki plains, for a beer and contemplating whether to spa or not to spa? 
 
Discussion revolved around a good start to the season (4 from 4) and managing to now carry it on.   After 7 or 8 beers, it was discussed that one D Bellis, had perhaps found his calling at the KCC, and should maybe hang up his speedos, and focus solely on his new role as Kaipaki statistician!! 
 
This was discussed for a number of hours and to be honest, the final decision is somewhat of a hazy memory blank now, so if anyone can shed light on the final vote, that would be appreciated!!
 
 
 
Dan Fenwick Builders Ltd
PO Box 21171, Rototuna, Hamilton
Ph: (07) 8536467 Mob: 0275672599
www.danfenwickbuilders.co.nz