We travelled to Croatia to compete in our 2nd Mediterranean Cricket League at Resnik Hotel Ground in Split under the Saaremaa Kriketiklubi name.
We were drawn to play against Kensington CC, Salford Hawks and CBB.
Match 1 – June 7 vs Kensington CC
Saaremaa won the toss and batted first.
Stuart Hook top scored with 86, well supported by Abishek Sonu (49), Shiva Arunachalam (36*) and Marko Vaik (28) as SKK scored 241/5.
A disciplined bowling display saw wickets to Tim Cross, Kalle Vislapuu, Abishek Sonu, Travis Beswick and Mac Sedwick as Kensington was kept to just 173/7 to give Saaremaa a winning start.
Saaremaa KK 241/5 def Kensington CC 173/7
Match 2 – June 8 vs Salford Hawks
Salford Hawks won the toss and elected to bat.
Shiva Arunachalam and Abishek Sonu each picked up a wicket, Tim Cross snared 2, and David Robson got 3 as Salford Hawks were kept to 188/7.
Saaremaa looked on top and cruising towards an easy win as Abishek Sonu scored 100. But Max Walsh (35) was the only other batter to reach double figures as Saaremaa collapsed to 9/180 needing another 9 runs for victory. Incredibly Tim Cross, who stepped on a nail whilst fetching a ball from over the fence and was whisked off to hospital for treatment, was not at the ground as the 9th wicket fell and Saaremaa was forced to concede defeat.
Salford Hawks 188/7 def Saaremaa KK 180/9
Match 3 – June 9 vs CBB
Saaremaa won the toss and elected to bowl.
An excellent bowling and fielding display kept CBB to just 115/9, with 5 catches and a stumping. Tim Cross, Travis Beswick, David Robson and Abishek Sonu picked up 1 wicket each. Tim Heath got 2 wickets. Shiva Arunachalam snared 3 wickets to be the best of the bowlers.
Saaremaa powered to the win in just 12 overs, with Mac Sedwick top scoring on 57.
CBB 115/9 lost to Tallinn Hippos 116/3
Match 4 – June 10 vs Salford Hawks
Salford Hawks won the toss and chose to bat.
Salford set a competitive total of 183/6. Tim Cross and David Robson each got 1 wicket, while Shiva Arunachalam and Kalle Vislapuu picked up 2 a piece.
With 3rd place on the line, and wanting to avenge their loss in the last meeting, Saaremaa steadily chased down the total. Stuart Hook top scored with 75, with good contributions from David Robson (30) and Tim Heath (28) pushing them to victory in the last over.
Salford Hawks 183/6 lost to Saaremaa KK 187/6
Saaremaa Kriketiklubi finished in 3rd place!
Touring squad: Abishek Sonu, David Robson, Stuart Hook, Tim Heath, Marko Vaik, Max Walsh, Mac Sedgwick, Shiva Arunachalam, Kalle Vislapuu, Travis Beswick, Tim Cross
A Tallinn Hippos social team travelled to Split to take on some local teams in a friendly tournament at Resnik Cricket Field.
Match 1 – August 21 vs Zagreb Sokol
The Hippos won the toss and elected to bat.
Stuart Hook top scored with 65, with good contributions from Skinner (38), Sohail (32), David Robson (27) and Tim Cross (24) helping push the total to 210/4.
David Robson, Janika Horn, Mac Sedgwick and Sohail all picked up a wicket, but it was not enough to stop Zagreb Sokol from passing the total with 2 overs to spare.
Tallinn Hippos 210/4 lost to Zagreb Sokol 213/4
Match 2 – August 21 vs Slovenia CC
Tallinn Hippos won the toss and batted first.
Stuart Hook continued his fine form, scoring 139*. Tim Cross (35) and David Robson (20) were the best of the rest for the Hippos as they posted 237/4.
Despite some good fight shown by the opposition, the Hippos were too strong as they restricted Slovenia CC to 172/8. Mac Sedgwick picked up a wicket, Janika Horn and David Robson snared 2 each, but it was Rana Rahman who was the main destroyed with 3 wickets from his 4 overs.
Tallinn Hippos 237/4 def Slovenia CC 172/8
Match 3 – August 22 vs Split Indians
Split won the toss and send the Hippos in to bat in a T10 match.
The Hippos lost the openers early, before David Robson (37) and Rana Rahman (38) steadied the ship, reaching 93/2.
After a long hot day with 2 t20 matches, the Hippos struggled in the field and Split Indians chased the total down with ease.
Tallinn Hippos 93/2 lost to Split Indians 94/1
Touring Squad: David Robson, Tim Cross, Mac Sedgwick, Stuart Hook, Rana Rahman, Veljko Popovic, Janika Horn, Mick Riley, Ashish Rana
Tallinn Hippos returned to Tivat, Montenegro to compete in the Montenegro T20 Cup against the Montenegro Bokaneers, Oakhill Taverners, Bounders CC, Old Hors and Plastics CC.
Match 1 – September 23 vs Montenegro Bokaneers
Bokaneers won the toss and elected to bat.
Half centuries to Aaron Paul and Jamie Baldwin, plus 49 runs to Stephen Ogden lifted the Bokaneers to a competitive 207/3 from their 20 overs.
Tim Cross picked up 1/25 and Thomas Hale was at his unplayable best with 2/2 to restrict the Bokaneers from posting a more imposing total.
In response the Hippos chased the total down in style, losing just 2 wickets. David Robson top scored with 101, supported well by Mac Sedwick (31) and Stuart Hook (22).
Montenegro Bokaneers 207/3 lost to Tallinn Hippos 209/2
Match 2 – September 23 vs Oakhill Taverners
Oakhill won the toss and chose to bat.
They scored consistently well to post a total of 206/7, with Kingsley Richardson top scoring (64).
Wickets were shared for the Hippos, with David Robson (1/20) and Tim Cross (1/21) the best of the bowlers.
Stuart Hook took to the Oakhill attack scoring an excellent 80, but despite support from David Robson (26) and Kevin Bisset (25) the Hippos were unable to maintain the run rate and fell 19 runs short finishing on 187/6.
Oakhill Taverners 206/7 def Tallinn Hippos 187/6
Match 3 – September 25 vs Plastics CC
The Hippos ended up in the 5th place playoff due to taking the least wickets in the group matches.
Plastics won the toss and elected to bat.
An excellent bowling and fielding display by the Hippos restricted plastics to 129/10. Tim Cross, Veljko Popovich and David Robson picked up 1 wicket a piece, Mac Sedwick and Paul Bradley got 2, but it was Janika Horn (3/35) who was the star with a Hat-trick!
The Hippos were cruising towards the win with Stu Hook (55), Tim Cross (18) and David Robson (25) guiding the team to within 10 runs before a massive collapse saw 4 wickets fall for just 2 runs. Liina Sõrmus held her nerve while the wickets fell, smashing a 4 to bring up the winning runs with 7 balls to spare.
Plastics CC 129/10 lost to Tallinn Hippos 133/8
Tallinn Hippos finished in 5th place in the Montenegro T20 Cup 2023
Back row: Gleb Bihanov, Liina Sõrmus, David Millard, Stuart Hook, Thomas Hale, Mac Sedgwick, Kevin Bissett
Front row: Laima Dalbina, Ragne Hallik, Janika Horn, David Robson, Veljko Popovich, Paul Bradley
Absent: Tim Cross
In 2023, the Hippos took 2 teams to Montenegro to compete in the latest edition of the Mediterranean Cricket League at the stunning Porto Montenegro Arena.
One team played as the Tallinn Hippos, with the other team playing under the Saaremaa Kriketiklubi name.
Brett Lee and his son Preston joined the Hippos touring ranks, along with social media sensations Thogden and Pavel Florin who both played for the Hippos in the tournament.
Match 1 – July 10 – Saaremaa KK vs MCL All Stars
Saaremaa KK won the toss and elected to bat first.
Runs came easily, with openers Ben Jones (64) and Mart Tammoja (44) putting on 88 for the first wicket. Mohammad Saqib continued the scoring with 45 and Stuart Hook also added 22. Saaremaa KK finished on 200/5 from their 20 overs.
In reply, the All Stars got off to a terrible start, losing Andrew Hartridge for just 1, before Aman Maheshwari (109*) and Darren Maddy (64) combined for a 107 run partnership. Brad Hogg (22) finished Saaremaa off, as the All Stars chased the total in just 14.1 overs.
Ben Jones picked up the only 2 wickets for Saareamaa KK.
Saaremaa KK 200/5 lost to MCL All Stars 201/2
Match 2 – July 10 – Tallinn Hippos vs Saaremaa KK
Tallinn Hippos won the toss and elected to bat. Preston Lee (60*) and Brett Lee (50) combined for a 106 run partnership to put the Hippos on top. Tim Filer (23) also did well with the bat.
Aditya Savio, Richard Parkin, Mohammad Saqib and Pavel Florin all picked up wickets for Saaremaa.
Ben Jones (81), Aditya Savio (36) and Richard Parkin (24) all did their best to keep the required run rate in check as Saaremaa chased 207 for victory, but it was not to be as they fell just 18 runs short.
Tim Cross, Tim Filer and David Robson all picked up a wicket for the Hippos, but it was Zahaan Khan who was the pick of the bowlers, with 3/9 from his 2 overs to put the result beyond doubt.
Tallinn Hippos 206/6 def Saaremaa KK 188/7
Match 3 – July 11 – Tallinn Hippos vs MCL All Stars
Tallinn Hippos won the toss and elected to bat.
Preston Lee top scored with 49, in an innings where almost everyone contributed well. Tim Cross (38), Mac Sedgwick (33), Tim Heath (35), Zahaan Khan (24) and Greg Mann (18*) combined to push the total to an imposing 216/6.
In response, the All Stars managed to stick to the required run rate, but at the cost of wickets as they were bowled out in the 17th over still 35 runs behind.
It was a real team effort with the ball from the Hippos, with David Robson, Tim Cross, Zahaan Khan and Kevin Pattenden all picking up a wicket. Kalle Vislapuu snared 2, but it was Tim Filer who was the real destroyer with 4/48 from his 3 overs.
Tallinn Hippos 216/6 def MCL All Stars 181/10
Match 4 – July 11 – MCL All Stars vs Saaremaa KK
The All Stars won the toss and opted to bat.
In another high scoring game, the All Stars smashed a massive 243/4 from their 20 overs. Andrew Hartridge top scored with 92.
Mohammad Saqib, Richard Parkin, Mark Hitchings and Gleb Bihanov all picked up a wicket for Saaremaa.
In response, Saaremaa pushed hard. Led by Stuart Hook’s brilliant 115 off 45 balls including 11 sixes, they took the game all the way to the end, falling just 16 runs short. Mohamad Saqib (21), Aditya Savio (23), Theo Ogden (20) and Ben Jones (20*) all contributed to the total.
MCL All Stars 243/4 def Saaremaa KK 227/5
Match 5 – July 12 – Saaremaa KK vs Tallinn Hippos
Tallinn Hippos won the toss and decided to bowl.
Stuart Hook once again did the bulk of the scoring for Saaremaa with 85 runs. Only Mohammad Saqib (27*) and Mart Tammoja (22) were able to hit double figures as Saaremaa could only manage 164/7.
Preston Lee, Zahaan Khan, Tim Cross and Mac Sedgwick picked up 1 wicket each, with Kalle Vislapuu getting 2 wickets and a run out!
The Hippos pressed home their advantage with a 111 run opening stand between Preston Lee (68*) and Greg Mann (73). Bombay yacht chef Anthony Crockett hit the winning runs with a boundary to take the Hippos to 165/1 off just 13.1 overs.
Mart Tammoja was the only Saaremaa bowler to pick up a wicket.
Saaremaa KK 164/7 lost to Tallinn Hippos 165/1
Match 6 – MCL All Stars vs Tallinn Hippos
Tallinn Hippos won the toss and chose to bowl.
The final match of the tournament saw the All Stars post a competitive 189/5 thanks to good innings from Jeff Grzinic (73) and Darren Maddy (61*).
Brett Lee picked up his first wicket in Montenegro, with Kalle Vislapuu and David Robson getting 2 wickets each.
In reply, the Hippos never really got going. Preston Lee (22), Tim Filer (22), Brett Lee (21) Zahaan Khan (28) and Tim Heath (17) all got starts, but none of them could push on to a big score, and the Hippos were bowled out for a disappointing 146.
This saw the Hippos narrowly finish 2nd on net run rate to the eventual champions MCL All Stars.
MCL All Stars 189/5 def Tallinn Hippos 164/10
Tallinn Hippos finished runners up, Saaremaa KK finished third
Tallinn Hippos Squad: Brett Lee, Preston Lee, Tim Filer, Greg Mann, Tim Heath, David Robson, Zahaan Khan, Mac Sedgwick, Connor McGiddy, Jason Moore, Kalle Vislapuu, Kevin Pattenden, Tim Cross, Anthony Crockett, Peter McKee
Saaremaa KK Squad: Ben Jones, Mart Tammoja, Mohamad Saqib, Stuart Hook, Theo Ogden, Richard Parkin, Aditya Savio, Laima Dalbina, Gleb Bihanov, Gavin Puszczalowsky, Mark Hitchings, Pavel Florin, Justin Le Broque
Tallinn Hippos joined Sir William Hoste CC, LTCC and Amsterdam CC on the Island of Vis in Croatia for a long weekend of social cricket.
Match 1 – October 6 vs LTCC
LTCC won the toss and batted.
The Hippos used nine bowlers and only managed to take one wicket, bowled by Mac Sedgwick, as LTCC put on 169/1.
Despite a steady 20 from Paul Bradley, and a blistering late 50* from David Robson, the Hippos could only manage 143/7 in response.
LTCC 169/1 def Tallinn Hippos 143/7
Match 2 – October 6 vs SWHCC
The Hippos won the toss and elected to bat.
They got off to a great start, with Toby Marriot (40) and Stuart Hook (53) both retiring to allow others to have a bat. Tim Cross (22) and Thomas Hale (25) were the pick of the rest of the line-up as the Hippos set 182 for the locals to chase.
3 wickets to Mac Sedgwick, and 1 a piece to Paul Bradley and Jack Meacher combined with 2 run outs helped the Hippos to restrict SWHCC to just 135/7 for their first win of the tour.
Tallinn Hippos 182/5 def SWHCC 135/7
Match 3 – October 7 vs Amsterdam CC
Amsterdam won the toss and chose to bat.
Tim Cross picked up 2 wickets, supported by Jack Meacher, Thomas Hale and Ragne Hallik who all took 1 wicket as Amsterdam set a total of 174/5.
David Robson (50) and Stuart Hook (64) took the Hippos close before Toby Marriot (32) brought up the winnings runs as the Hippos scored 178/7 to finish the tournament with their second win.
Amsterdam CC 174/5 lost to Tallinn Hippos 178/7
Check out Cricket District’s Video of the trip below
Touring Squad: Paul Bradley, Tim Cross, Janika Horn, Mac Sedgwick, Liina Sõrmus, Jack Meacher, Toby Marriot, David Robson, Thomas Hale, Ragne Hallik, David Bullock, Natallia Zholudz
Tallinn Hippos accepted the invitation to participate in the 2025 St Moritz Cricket on Ice tournament.
We were drawn in Group A, alongside German CC, Roggenhorn CC and St Moritz CC.
Match 1 – February 12 vs St Moritz CC
Hippos lost the toss and were sent in by the locals for their first taste of cricket on a frozen pitch!
Stuart Hook top scored with 41, supported well by David Robson (34) as the Hippos scored what we hoped was a competitive score of 124.
Tim Cross and Mac Sedgwick were the pick of the Hippos bowlers, as they picked up 2 wickets each, with Paul Bradley picking up 1 for himself.
The bowlers were backed up well by the fielders, with 2 good catches and a run out to Greg Mann, as the Hippos were able to contain St Moritz to just 91 from their 15 overs.
Tallinn Hippos 124/8 def St Moritz CC 91/6
Match 2 – February 13 vs Roggenhorn CC
Hippos WON the toss and elected to bat.
The outfield was a touch icier and harder. David Robson lead off with 37, followed by captain for the match, Greg Mann next up with 21. Hippos total of 7/105 off 15.
In reply, a solid bowling and fielding performance with good catches and the odd successful run out. Vice Captain Mac Sedgwick and Darren Ireland both had figures of 2/12 with the ball and both had a good day in the field. Paul Bradley also picked up 2 wickets. David Robson and Tim Cross chipped in with a wicket a piece and we rolled RCC out with all 10 wickets.
Tallinn Hippos 105/7 def RCC 79/10
Match 3 – February 14 vs German CC
Hippos WON toss and eSelected to bat.
Overnight snow meant delayed start. Greg Mann lead off with 50*, with Stu Hook next up with 43* culminating in an undefeated 114 run partnership between Stu and Greg. Hippos total of 2/137 off 15.
Mac Sedgwick with another good session. 3/18 including a HAT TRICK of the top order of the reigning premiers. Tougher day with the ball with hippos giving away 60 extras. Captain Crossy chipped in with a wicket and we kept German CC to 5/109.
Tallinn Hippos 137/2 bt GCC 109/5
No live stream for today’s game
Match 4 – Final – February 15 vs Old Cholmeleians CC
Hippos LOST toss and had to bowl, first time this tournament chasing!
OCC got off to a flier, being about 40 odd after the 5 over power play. Hippos pulled it back with Man of the Match David Robson taking 2/13, Gleb Bihanov 1/4 off 2 overs, Mac Sedgwick 1/10, Tim Cross 1/22, and a couple of run outs. OCC 7/104 (15)
David Robson lead off with 32 with Stu Hook next up with 30. Tim Cros and Kevin Bissett saw us home with 14* and 11* respectively.
Hippos Total of 4/106 off 13.2
Tallinn Hippos win Cricket on Ice 2025!!!!
OCC 104/7 (15) lost to Tallinn Hippos 106/4 (13.2)
Congratulations Tallinn Hippos, Cricket on Ice Champions 2025!
Back row: Mac Sedgwick, Gleb Bihanov, Darren Ireland, Oliver Millard, David Millard, Greg Mann
Front row: Tim Cross, Stuart Hook, Paul Bradley, David Robson, Kevin Bisset
Tallinn Hippos returned to St Moritz to defend their Cricket on Ice title that they won in 2025.
We were drawn in group B, alongside last year’s beaten finalists Old Cholmeleians, Lyceum Alpinum and Touring Cavaliers.
Match 1 – February 11 vs Old Cholmeleians
Hippos, lost the toss and got sent in on a very bumpy pitch.
Greg Mann (22*ret) and Andy Hartridge (45) put on a wonderful 59 run partnership for the 2nd wicket with the outfield being a touch slow.
Tallinn Hippos after the 15 overs set a target of 94
Hippos bowling went into full speed and was able to restrict the Old Cholmeleians CC (last years GF replay team) to 6/82.
Andy Hartridge, Sanjay Beri, and Ragne Hallik took a wicket each, and there were also 2 fantastic runs outs – one direct hit from Greg Mann and fantastic chase and throw from Ragne Hallik.
Bowler of the day goes to D.Robson, with 3 overs 1/5. Including the last over with the game on the line, producing a wicket maiden!
Tallinn Hippos 3/94 def OCCC 6/82
Match 2 – February 12 vs Lyceum Alpinum
Losing the toss AGAIN, the Hippos were put into bat on pitch 1. No snow overnight meant the outfield was pretty quick and Icy. A good toss to lose
Andy Hartridge (47) and Greg Mann (8) put on another 40+ partnership in tricky, windy, sundry heavy conditions.
Stu Hook chipped in with a quick 16, Sanjay Beri 13, got some good time at the crease. Ragne Hallik went out to face the last 2 balls and got off the mark with her first shot. Sundries though took the cake with a well produced, 20 over long stint of 71*
Consistent wickets for the Hippos had batting team on the back foot from the get go. Andy Hartridge, Sanjay Beri, Gary Green, Heinrich Gericke and Ragne Hallik all took 1 wicket and with 2 run outs.. that left just one bowler to take the rest of the chocolates today.
David Millard with a tidy 2 overs 3/9 ripped into the middle/lower order to put the result beyond doubt.
Tallinn Hippos 3/156 beat Lyceum Alpinum 9/81
Match 3 – February 13 vs Touring Cavaliers
Winning the Toss and Batting, the Tallinn Hippos middle order was in fine form
Steve Aston flew out of the blocks at #3 with 27 (10), then Stu Hook (40 off 21) and Sanjay Beri 13 shared in a 63 run 2nd wicket partnership to put the Hippos in good shape. Gary Green 16 and Heinrich Gericke 12 helped get the score from mid 120s to mid 150s.
The defence started with some seriously decent and tight bowling. Sanjay Beri, Andy Hartridge, and Heinrich Gericke all bowled 3 overs for no more than 6 a over, and when needing 10 a over for 15 overs, this put us in a great position.
Enter the bowler of the day and match VIP Gary Green. 3 overs, 4/16 to tear apart their middle order was enough to put the nail in the coffin.
2 Run outs in the one over with the Hook/Gericke partnership meant it was all over bar the Hippos Chant.
Tallinn Hippos 7/153 bt Cavaliers 7/93
Match 4 – Final – February 14 vs Flamingo CC
Winning the toss and batting, the Hippos again got of to a great start with David Robson (28) and Andy Hartridge (34) hitting 55 for the 1st wicket. A late big hitting cameo from Heinrich Gericke (28*) including 4 big sixes, and 22 sundries took the total to 4/132.
The Hippos bowling unit went into full speed with Sanjay Beri and David Robson opening the bowling and taking the first 3 wickets for 14 runs. From that point, it was a case of keep it on the deck and Hippos would be home. Andy Hartridge, Gary Green and Heinrich Gericke all chipped in with one wicket each, but the best was yet to come.
Ragne Hallik came on to steal the show and clean up the rest of the Flamingos team with a stunning 2 over spell taking 3/9 to finish the match.
Each match has had some stand out performances and great all round efforts sharing the stats. Premierships are won on all team efforts and this one was a 4 day all team effort.
Congratulations to the Tallinn Hippos.. Cricket on Ice Champions 2026.
Tallinn Hippos 132/4 def Flamingo CC 72/10
Congratulations Tallinn Hippos, back to back Cricket on Ice Champions 2025 + 2026
Back row: Sanjay Beri, Gary Green, Darren Ireland, Graeme Tysoe, Heinrich Gericke, Kristian Viljoen, David Millard, Gerald Sant, Andrew Hartridge
Front row: Ragne Hallik, David Robson, Stuart Hook, Steve Aston, Greg Mann
