Today saw the first ever Saturday Championship fixture been played at the new Gin Drinkers Bay Cricket Ground.

It was fitting that the all Chinese team, CCC Hung See, had the first fixture to be held at the ground.

Winning the toss and deciding to bat, Hung See got off to a great start with Bobby Chan playing a very mature innings and making 38 during the bad weather and interruption’s in play.

A rain break brought about the fall of 4 quick wickets for Hung See with HKU bowlers putting up a resilient fight back. Hung See were 53 for 4 after 10 overs and were looking for a partnership to rebuild the innings.

The experienced pair of Henry Siu and Louis Chan were the guys that took that responsibility on and they duly obliged.

Some excellent stroke play and some friendly bowling saw the pair bring up their 100 partnership for the 5th wicket stand, before Louis Chan was caught in the deep for a well-played 44.

Henry Siu was not deterred by this bringing up his half century the very next over. From here it was all the Henry Siu show. Hitting 8 x 4s and 11 x 6s, he brought up the first ever Hundred to be scored on the ground of just 66 balls.

A truly magnificent innings of 127 not out, was the back bone of the Hung See innings which amassed 256 for 7 wickets in 33 overs.

HKU took to the field and were soon on the way to trying to chase the total down. Hung See’s bowling display could not match their batting display.

A.Balasaria took full advantage and hit a quick fire 68 off 45 balls which included 5 x 4s and 6 x 6s, in an opening stand of 118.

His opening partner Ashwin Dokania though, was not finished there and we did not have to wait long for the second Century to be scored at the new ground. Dokania ending not out on 112 off 68 balls including 21 x 4s and 1 x 6, guiding HKU home to 257 for 2 and to victory by 8 wickets.

To have available another ground for league fixtures to be played on, in a land starved area, is a massive positive for Cricket in Hong Kong. The ground itself is unique in many different ways but if this game was something to go by then I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Richard Waite