Chiang Mai - Fans were treated to a thrilling battle between Marchwiel and the Lords Taverners yesterday at the 18th Chiang Mai International Sixes at the Gymkhana Club.

Lords Taverners looked to have secured their place in the Cup after cutting a way through Group E but they were scuppered 64-63 at the final hurdle by determined Marchwiel.

Only a single run decided the game, to mean Marchwiel marched into the premier competition while the Taverners now have to pursue Shield glory instead.

Andy hit a creditable 31 before retiring for the victors while Zac managed the same tally for Taverners during a keenly-contested encounter that held the attention throughout.

Group A was also decided when the YesNoWaitSorries thumped Darjeeling by 20 runs. Knocks of 31 and 25 from Mark and David put YNWS in a commanding position and they made sure of their victory by catching four of the Darjeeling batsmen when they attempted to reply.

Orf hit the headlines earlier in the week with his exploits for Gymkhana Cavs and the Thai Sawasdee cricket scheme graduate was the talk of the tournament again with an entertaining knock of 31 in the Spoon quarter-final against BKK Postels.

The young star was backed up with 25 not out from team-mate Chris to fire the hometown Cavs through to the semis.

Wazza and Ritchi combined for 37 runs for the Postels and their final score was also boosted by 31 extras.

Orf's exploits came at the perfect time as tournament officials revealed Tesco Lotus had pledged to pump much-needed sponsorship into junior cricket in the region.

The Shanghai Dragons booked their place in the Bowl semi-final with a single run win over Sugarshack Postels courtesy of some generous bowling.

The Postels were in command at the crease with 35 runs to the Dragons' 30 but they let their advantage slip in the field to allow Shanghai through 41-40.

Almar cruised through to the Bowl semi-finals with a 20-run victory over Blythswood.

Opening batsman Simon and Syd racked up 67 between them before retiring to allow Terry and Foxy to polish off the batting total of 80.

10 extras pushed the final score to 90 and even a gutsy 30 reply from Raj couldn't keep Blythswood in the tournament.

Ashwell Crusaders pipped Tokyo Wombats 61-59 in the final Bowl quarter-final of yesterday. The Wombats held the upper hand after their time in the crease but some ragged bowling allowed their rivals to squeeze through to the next session by two runs.

The Divine Felons scored a worthy 75 against the STH Drifters in the first Plate semi-final of the day but they faltered in the shadow of an enormous 128 tally from the Felons, which included a whopping 52 extras.

The action was rounded off with a fantastic Plate semi-final between CMW Warriors and Irish Pub GG that went right down to the last ball.

Irish needed 10 from the final over to snatch victory and ended up with a single required from the final delivery after a dramatic run-out on the previous ball.

That left John Danby facing the music at the crease but he whacked the ball in style over the boundary for four, much to the delight of the crowd.

It was a superb end to another enjoyable day at this glorious setting.

TODAY'S FIXTURES

Yarambat v Mujibas (Shield QF), Worathais v Dilettantes (Shield QF), Halylt v Gymkhana Cavs (Spoon SF), Darjeeling v Southerners (Shield QF), Cricketeers v Awali (Cup QF), YSWS v P Postels (Cup QF), Glos Gipsies v Surrey Vagrants (Cup QF), Shanghai Dragons v Silver State (Bowl SF), Almar v Ashwell (Bowl SF), Lords Taverners v TBC (Shield SF)

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Gipsies beat Almar 57-54, MW Warriors beat Tokyo Wombats 57-56, Yarrambat beat Silver State 81-70, Wombats beat Gymkhana Cavs 76-60, YesNoWaitSorries beat Darjeeling 71-51, Marchwiel beat Lords Taverners 64-63.

Spoon quarter-final _ Gymkhana Cavs 75-68 BKK Postels

Bowl quarter-final _ Shanghai Dragons 41-40 Sugarshack Postels

Bowl quarter-final _ Almar CC 90-70 Blythswood

Bowl quarter-final _ Ashwell Crusaders 61-59 Tokyo Wombats

Plate semi-final _ Drifters 128-75 Felons

Plate semi-final _ Irish Pub 66-62 CMW Warriors

For live commentary and results from today's action log on to www.chiangmaisixes.com .