20 Teams on a Mission this Weekend at Private Capital Hong Kong Cricket Festival 2009

Twenty teams including five teams in the women's division will be competing at Mission Road in Kowloon this weekend as the 8th annual Private Capital Hong Kong Cricket Festival 2009 gets underway (4 - 6th December).

"It's great to welcome back the women's division to the Festival with 5 strong teams including two overseas teams new to the tournament," said Tournament Director Brad Tarr of Lamma Cricket Club. "We have a wonderfully diverse mix of men's and women's teams once again with sides flying from Australia, China, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore, as well as local Hong Kong sides, so it will be a great showcase of the spirit of cricket."

In the men's competition, Lamma CC 1 will be looking to defend their title, but face tough opposition in a strong competition which features former champions the Shanghai Dragons and the CBB SCs, plus local sides including Kowloon CC and Kai Tak.

In the women's division, reigning Champions Waratah Mayfield have not returned this year, but in a difficult division to call, compatriots the Custom Cockatoos from Adelaide will be going for the title against the Singapore Slingers and experienced local sides Lamma CC, HKCC Willow Wielders and combo unit Six in the City.

The men's competition features 15 teams split into 5 groups of three who'll play round robin matches to determine their progression to Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions. The women's division will be a straight round robin of the 5 teams with the top 2 ranked sides playing off in the final.

Matches in the 3 day Festival will take place from 8.45am - 5pm daily at Mission Road Sports Ground, Tin Kwong Road, Kowloon.

In addition to the action on the field for the participants there will be a Welcome Drinks function at the Kangaroo Lounge on Friday evening and a Gala Dinner at Spice Restaurant on Knutsford Terrace on Saturday evening. The Awards Presentation ceremony will be held at the venue after the final match on Sunday afternoon.

Overseas teams will be staying at the Empire Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Official Hotel of the 2009 Festival.

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