Thai Thevada in action against the Gipsies in an earlier match.

Playing under the name Thai Thevada, the young Thai boys have come up through the ranks of the local school league and are playing in the senior competition for the first time this year.

Most of the Thai team are aged between 15 and 17 and yesterday they clocked up another fine win over the Awali Taverners from Bahrain, a team of experienced expat players and regulars in Chiang Mai every year.

Thai Thevada knocked up the very respectable total of 62 for the loss of only one wicket against the Taverners, who in reply lost two wickets on their way to a losing total of 51.

It has been an outstanding effort by the Thai team, who in their first year in the senior competition have not only made into the second top division, the Shield, but are also through to the semis, having defeated some very experienced sides.

Meanwhile, the Gloucestershire Gipsies are proving to be the dark horses in the top level Cup division after scoring 105, mostly with the bat, against fellow English team Romany yesterday.

"They could be peaking just at the right time," said ground commentator Rick "Viking" Davis, a keen judge of teams every year at the Chiang Mai Sixes.

However, it was a different story for another team in the Cup division yesterday.

The usually strong Moonshine Warathais struggled in their game against fellow Aussies the Perth Postels with the Warathais' star player Trevor Chappell falling to a catch early in his innings with few runs on the board. Ian "Reds" Liddell and Steve "Crunch" Christie were also below their best for the Warathais, but Simon "Sporter" Porter managed a few big hits at the tail end of their innings.

The Warathais finished on 55 for the loss of four wickets as the Perth Postels, led by touring veteran Michael "Cat" Maher, kept their bowling very tight.

In reply, the Perth Postels came out swinging and scored 25 for no loss off their first over. By the end of the third over the Postels had taken their score to 43 and were comfortably positioned for victory. Chappell then came on to bowl hoping to restrict the runs and despite bowling a very good line and length, the Perth Postels cruised to victory at the end of his over.

Chappell, one of the tournament's best players, will also captain one of two teams of "stars" in a special match scheduled for Saturday, the final day, which promises to be a thriller.

A number of other former internationals and first class players will also be involved in what promises to be one of the best matches of this year's tournament as part of the Chiang Mai Sixes' 20th anniversary.

One of the highest scoring games so far this year came in yesterday's match between English sides Blythswood and the Drifters. Blythswood batted first and belted a huge total of 107, only to lose the game after the Drifters topped them with a total of 108. Only one wicket fell in the entire game.

Another full day's play is scheduled for today with the finals on Saturday.

The Chiang Mai Sixes is a charity event run by volunteers with all proceeds going towards developing local cricket at the junior level, and this year the generous sponsors backing the event are the Chiangmai Mail newspaper and security firm ESC, plus San Miguel Beer, which has proved very popular with the many thirsty players this year.

The action continues today at the 109-year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club in the heart of Chiang Mai, admission is free and food and drinks are available at the ground.

RESULTS

Armadillos 49, Devine Felons 54; Floggers and Robbers 95, Southerners 95 (Floggers and Robbers won with no wickets lost); Thai Thevada 62, Awali Taverners 51; Tokyo Wombats 89, Silver State 35; Taranaki Taverners 57, Blythswood 59; Shanghai Dragons 88, Drifters 84; Lords Taverners 63, Marchwiel Outlaws 67; Romany 65, Gloucestershire Gipsies 105; Warathais 55, Perth Postels 56; Armadillos 70, Almar 80; SA PA 41, Southerners 82; Blythswood 107, Drifters 108; Taranaki Taverners 56, Shanghai Dragons 57; Bangkok Postels 68, Wombats 66.

For more information, ball by ball

updates and a live commentary, please see http://www.chiangmaisixes.com.