Fuzes stars with bat and ball
Last season's all-conquering Scorpions got their new campaign off to the worst possible start when they lost the Hong Kong Cricket Club derby to Optimists as the expanded 10-team Sunday League got underway yesterday.
Mark Fuzes hit the first century of the season as Optimists trounced their sister-side by a resounding 10 wickets.
Fuzes, who was the top run-getter for the Optimists last season, immediately found his touch with the bat as he spanked an unbeaten 135 and figured in a match-winning partnership of 184 with fellow-opener Mark Eames, who made 35.
Scorpions, who are the defending Sunday League as well as Sunday Cup champions, had earlier been bowled out for 180. Hong Kong captain Tim Smart top-scored with 61 with the only other worthwhile contributor being Nick Gavin-Brown, who was unfortunate to be out four runs short of a well-deserved half-century.
Fuzes played a huge role in the bowling department as well, taking three for 46 off 10 overs.
Ex-England international Phil DeFreitas played in the league competition for Scorpions last season and played a huge role in their victorious campaign. His absence this time will find them hard-pressed to defend their titles.
Pakistan Association, one of the main contenders for the title this season, began on a victorious, albeit unconvincing, note as they defeated Millennium CC by four wickets at Mission Road.
Chasing a meagre total of 81, Pakistan Association reached the target in the 19th over with Ilyas Gull steadying the chase with an unbeaten 24 as the mission was accomplished for the loss of six wickets. Gull earlier took three wickets with his off-spin, while Jamshaid Khan also contributed to Millennium's downfall with figures of four for 20.
Both new teams in the premier competition, HKCC Wanderers and Sri Lankan Club, were not seen in action.
HKCC Wanderers had a bye, while the Sri Lankans' game against KCC Infidels was postponed.
