Hi Colts: My record as Captain of Colts Cricket Club since the beginning of the last season reads.. 19 wins and 3 losses. In this short span, in 1996, two memorable games were won by the gutty Colts - vs. Brittamer and Hollywood II. The division II game versus Pacifica, played on April 12, 1997, surpasses all others as the most memorable game! The toss was lost amidst the frustrating reality that the neutral umpire would not show up and Pacifica showing up late. To make matters worse, Colts C.C. were put into bat at 11:30 a.m. in a 40 over game. Colts started "Sri Lanka" style with 16 runs in the first over - Atul Raj blasting 2 (two) sixes off the 2nd and 3rd balls he faced! The bowling was ordinary, but got better as the game processed. The Colts slowed down. A great start was given by Swami and Atul - our openers. They put on 44 for the first wicket in 8 overs. Ashwin joined Atul and they put on another 44 runs for the 3rd wicket. Venkatesh Panchapagesan played another focussed innings and further strengthened the Colts' position. Thereafter, wickets fell regularly with the middle order not totally sticking to their task. Colts were all out for 181 in 39 overs. Scoring for the Colts were.. Atul Raj 58, Venky Panchapagesan 43, Ashwin Rao 16, Ranesh Peiris 14 and extras 19! When Pacifica batted, the neutral umpire was sorely missed. The Colts were extremely edgy with most appeals turned down. Obviously plumb "outs" were not given. Their captain when given out caught behind, tried to show that the ball struck the pad a glaringly bad gesture since his teammate was the umpire! Colts bowlers could not easily penetrate and the fielding was atrocious to say the least! However, the expression-filled Venu Javarappa was in his elements and bowled with a lot of fire to have the first two wickets. Aravinthan Wijayachandran was introduced into the attack for the over before the water break and he obliged with a wicket in his 4th ball. Pacifica were comfortably placed at 132 for 3 in 27 overs. 50 runs needed in 13 overs.. easy for them. Sadly for them, they did not know the fighting qualities of Colts C.C. so rarely tested before. Most of us on the field had partially given up. As a captain, I had not given up BUT do recall visions of me pondering as to what superstitious element led to our position. Aravinthan had 1 for 24 in 4 overs and following my instincts I persisted with him and he justified that decision with 5 more wickets in the space of 14 deliveries INCLUDING A HAT TRICK! Wijay was done with his spell - 6 for 35 off 8 overs. The battery of bowlers I could try out was seemingly endless.. Venu had one over left. Swami had problems with cramps, Dr. Cyril had 4 overs, Mervyn 3 and Myself, Venky and Atul could bowl as well. Their target was 17 runs in 24 balls with only 1 over left!!! It was obvious to me that Mervyn should bowl at this time and on the other side, persuaded by Ashwin, it was to be Venu. Mervyn's first two balls were unplayable. The 3rd was driven straight to long-off where Aravinthan in a rare misfield let one through for 4! 13 runs to win for Pacifica. The next ball saw the batsman try to heave Mervyn out of the grounds and instead saw the ball sailing into the usually safe hands of Arvin Varma! The rejoicing was tremendous! The emotions were indeed high. Our sole supporters, Mumta (Atul's wife), Shaguna (Arvin's wife) and Zia Ahmed ran onto the field in joy!!! The victory was the best in a long time for us and it was also the first time ever that Wijay had taken a hat trick. He joins Swami as the only other bowler to take a hat trick for the NEW Colts. Mervyn might also be having a hat trick up his belt. In the next game, Colts will have the services of former double international (Sri Lanka & USA) - Dr. Lareef Idroos. Dr. Lareef incidentally has taken hat tricks three times in his cricketing career and has also taken all 10 wickets of the opposition once. Thanks. Ranesh Peiris