The 18th Chiang Mai Sixes eased into its opening day of cricket action early yesterday as each of the six round-robin groups in round one of the event were in action.

The social cricketer's Spoon competition was first up, with the local Gymkhana Cavaliers vs last year's losing finalists Halylt of England.

Halylt again showed themselves to be contenders for the trophy by posting a handy 63 for 0. They were helped by a useful knock of 31 not out from Dan Jones , their better-than-average all-rounder.

Local eyes were on the Cavs team, which for the first time included several young Thai graduates of the local Sawasdee Cricket program for junior schools.

The Halylt score looked to be too much for the slow starting Cavs, but slowly the Gymkhana openers , aided by some wayward bowling and sound striking of the ball by Sawasdee graduate Orf edged ever closer to a winning score.

With three runs needed off the last ball for the win Orf managed a two and the match ended as a tie.

In other Spoon action on this opening day, Halylt continued to rack up points with a narrow win over TQ Malakas.

Elsewhere, the Chiang Mai Sixes 18-year veteran Wombats racked up the highest score of the day (89-0) , thanks to a big innings from Woollie (31 not out).

In the main competition, round one decides which teams go forward to compete for the Cup, Shield, Bowl or Plate.

The first day provided some clear indications of main contenders. The Perth Postels notched up two wins out of two in convincing style.

First was over the STH Drifters with an over to spare then they racked up 77 for 2 to beat local tobacco team The Mujibas.

The defending Sixes' Cup champion YesNoWaitSorries also began strongly scoring 70 for the loss of one wicket , and then blowing away the local Irish Pub Gang Green, who were all out for just 32.

Their stable-mates Gloucestershire Gipsies were convincing winners over Sugar Shack Postels. One of the most exciting encounters saw the Tokyo Wombats beat the Awali Taverners from Bahrain.

Action continues with more round one matches today, opening with Surrey Vagrants taking on Australia's Moonshine Warathais with ex-Test star Trevor Chappell. Play starts at 8.30am.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

SPOON DIVISION: Gymkhana Cavs 63 /0 (Orf 24 n.o) tied vs HALYLT, 63/0(D. Jones 31 n.o.). HALYLT 63/3 won vs TQ Malakas 57/0 (M. Burns 35n.o). Bangkok Postels 64/2 (Wooley 2 /7) - Wombats 89/0 (Wooley 31n.o.)

MAIN DRAW: MBMG Dilettantes 72/3 ( R. Weckert 30n.o.)won vs Darjeeling 67/1 (R. Bishoff 34n.o). CMW Warriors 37/3 lost vs Moonshine Warathais 38/0. Gloucestershire Gipsies 86/1 (P.Lazenbury 33 n.o) won vs Sugar Shack Postels 44/3 (D. Kerry 1/3). YesNoWaitSorries 72/1 (M. Briers 31n.o.) won vs Irish Pub Gang Green 32/6 Park 2/7 Johnson 2/5). Perth Postels 51/3 won vs STH Drifters 50/1. Almar 71/1 won vs Silver State 58/3 (S. Philbrook 30n.o.Eksteen 2/7). Awali Taverners 62/3 (s. Ratmod 30n.o.) lost vs Tokyo Wombats 62/2 (A. Hall 31.n.o). Mujibas 62/3 lost vs Perth Postels 77/2 (K. Jackson 35n.o., R. Pallett 30n.o.)Lords Taverners 77/2(A. Walton 31n.o.) won vs Blythswood CC 47/2(Walton 2/2).Mujibas 59/0 (R. Mahanama 35n.o) won vs STH Drifter

Bangkok Post - 28 March 2005