Events in 2009
Pub Quiz and FundraiserThursday 26th of February 2009
The winning team celebrate with their prizes
The first ever Tokyo Predators Cricket Club quiz was held at our Club house, the Jewel of India in Roppongi on Thursday the 26th of February.
Having turned away people because of the strong demand, it was a night full of fun and great value for money. Over 45 people attended which consisted of 12 teams competing for prizes that included iPods for the winners and Champagne for the runners-up.
The Raffle was also keenly entered into by many of the attendees with some great prizes on offer including Male and Female G-Shock watches, Riedel glasses and a dinner voucher to the Jewel of India.
Teams participating were from various companies around Tokyo as well as some of our on-field competitors (Wombats and Paddy Foleys). Some of the lads from the Predators were lucky enough to win the board game booby prizes which should keep them entertained during any rain delays we have during the season.
A great turnout saw us fill the Jewel of India Restaurant
Topics on geography, television, movies, literature were favored over cricket questions and the competition was tight between the teams right until the very end. The 4 rounds of questions, one of which was a "guess who it is" picture round kept everyone on their toes and had people racking their brains for the right answer. The ultimate winners having beaten the next team by 3 points only.
A big thanks again go to our club sponsor, the Jewel of India in Roppongi. The food and service was again high quality and most people ate and drank their way to a nice state by the end of the evening. Thank you Sid to you and your staff for the efforts in making this event a success.
There have been many requests for running this event again in the future and tentatively it will be planned for mid May. Get cracking with your study for Round 2!
Events from 2008
2008 End of Season FunctionFriday 28th of November 2008
The team gathered at Jewel Of India to celebrate a
successful 2008
The Predators successful 2008 Season was celebrated in true style at our new clubhouse, the, "Jewel of India" in Roppongi on Friday 28th of November 2008. Our Treasurer turned MC for the evening Rob Mirfin, made sure there were plenty of laughs for the crowd which included players, girlfriends, and other friends of the club.
Younis Mansuri who always features strongly in the awards was again the leader of the pack taking out the "Bowler of the Year" and "Players Player of the Year" for 2008. Other winners included Graeme for "Batsman of the Year", Robin for winning the "2008 Darwin award" and Deepak Sharma for taking the "Clubman of the Year" award. As you can tell from the pictures no expense was spared in getting the finest trophies for the lads.
After the Cup presentation to the team, each player drank their favourite beverage from the trophy and celebrated in true style. Gin and Tonic, Beer and even Lassi flowed from the cup!
Graeme struggled to lift his massive trophy
Other festivities during the evening included a Raffle and the "Remember when of 2008" where some of the lighter side and funny moments of the season were celebrated with a downing of a glass of beer!
The food was fantastic, the drinks flowed and the Club celebrated its 2008 successes well into the evening. A big thank you goes to Sid from the Jewel of India for hosting the evening, Rob for being the MC and to all the players, players partners and supporters of the club who made the evening a big success.
Planning is already underway for the 2009 end of season festivities where hopefully again, we will hold the winning League trophy!
Japan Cricket Association Awards 2008Nov 23 2008
Andy accepting the J1C 2008 Division II Trophy
The Predators features prominently in the 2008 JCA Awards which was held in Tokyo on the 23rd of November 2008.
Representing the club, our Captain was present to receive the club award for winning the Division 2 Title and present the winners of the Japan knockout Cup with their trophy.
In addition, Andrew accepted the Best Batsman award for Division 2 for Graeme who won the award for the 2nd year running ? congratulations Graeme. We look forward to Graeme making it 3 in a row in Division 1.
Golden Bat Series DeciderOct 18 2008
At the conclusion of Game 3 of the inaugural Golden Bat Series, the Predators joined the series winning team Paddy Foleys Cricket Club back in Roppongi at their home base. The competition was fierce on the field, the Predators took out game one but Paddy's stormed back to claim the trophy by winning games 2 and 3. Throughout the series the standard of cricket was high, with the final and deciding game producing over 530 runs between the two teams.
After the game both teams headed back to Paddy Foleys and celebrated the 3 game series by drinking as many beers as possible in a short time. Andy reckons he downed more pints than Graeme dropped catches behind the stumps for the Predators. Graeme did score 118 not out in Game 3, so the selectors have elected to keep him on for another season, fielding in the covers). It is fantastic that both clubs can further establish strong relationships through such functions and the series success has certainly 'cemented' the series and evening festivities as a regular in the Predators cricketing calender.
The Predators look forward to trying to get control of the Golden Bat which is currently adorns the walls of Paddy Foleys in Roppongi.
Some events from this day deserve special mention:
- The weather was great, more games in October!
- Being serenaded by "We Are The Champions" 47 times from Sule's iPhone. Speakers next time please.
- Graeme's stunning effort behind the stumps
- Graeme's stunning effort in front of the stumps
- Peter's array of shots (at the bar this time), some of which were on fire
- Andy trying to copy Nick with said flaming drink, subsequently setting own lip alight
- Hilarity ensuing as Andy frantically tried to put out the blaze
Weekend of Cricket in ShizuokaJune 2008
The team plus mascott at the Shizuoka ground
Over the weekend of 14th and 15th of June 2008, the Predators were hosted by the Shizuoka Cricket Club for a weekend of back to back cricket. Game 1 on Saturday was against Nagoya which saw the Predators narrowly missing victory, and on Sunday the Predators faced off against Shizuoka Kytes where victory was achieved in the 35th over after chasing down the Kytes competitive total. Both games were played in terrific spirit and were competitive affairs right to the end of each game.
On the Saturday evening, Robert from the Kytes took the team out for some wonderful local cuisine and sake. There were a few sore heads and tired faces the next day but it didn't stop another good day out on the Cricket field.
Robert took the lads out to some great local spots
At the conclusion of game 2, a BBQ was held at the Shizuoka ground where stories of "what could have been" and "it would have been a different story if..." were heard before we headed back up the highway to Tokyo.
The Kytes were terrific hosts (thanks go to Robert and Neil) and the Predators look forward to another weekend Road Trip in 2009 where we can enjoy cricket, food, drink and good times!
Events from 2007
2007 End of Season FunctionNovember 2007
The end of Season Celebrations were held in November 2007 at a very interesting Mexican restaurant that we have all possibly experienced during our time in Tokyo Zest in Roppongi! The food was questionable and the tequila quality even more questionable, but with endless supply of both, it ensured a great night was had.
The 2007 Club award winners were Younis (Bowler of the Year, Graeme (Batsman of the Year), Francois (Clubman of the Year) and Sukhesh (Darwin award for self preservation). The "Remember when and funny moments of 2007" were particularly lethal as a shot of tequila was required when your name was mentioned! Some players had more "funny moments" than others during the season so it meant a quick trip to drunkenness for some of the attendees! The season was celebrated in style and although the team lost the Grand Final and missed the promotion opportunity to Division 1 a terrific evening was had with most attendees kicking on well into the evening.
The raffle was a hit with our Club President after he won a Sheep hand puppet which is ideal for quiet weekends at home (Nick is a kiwi so it was a perfect prize). Robin also experienced the delights of winning the booby prize and thought the edible G-String underpants would be fun, but maybe not suitable to be left around his house for his 12 year old son Liam to see.