Justin Moseley " Chiang Mai

Irish Pub grasp chance of first Cup win

Finals and remaining semi-finals of the San Miguel Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes are today, but there was some fine action at the picturesque Gymkhana Club yesterday.

The first place in the Plate final was decided in favour of the Lords Taverners Postels, who beat a hard-trying Sa Pa.  However, all was not lost for Sa Pa, for despite Almar beating the Taranaki Taverners in the other semi-final, their higher run rate ensured a place in the Plate final and a chance of revenge.

The Cup games commenced with a contained batting performance from the Gloucestershire Gipsies whose score of 50 was due mostly to good fielding by the Shanghai Hot Dogs.  The Gipsies responded with equally good fielding initially, but some spirited batting and running by the Hot Dogs produced a score of 54.  The Gipsies, by completing four overs, qualified them for a semi-final. The next game in the Cup, between the Perth Postels and the Romany Martlets, resulted in a fairly convincing win for the Postels, who progress to a semi-final today against the Bashundhara Cricketeers.

In the Bowl Yarrambat had little trouble beating the Darwin Dilettantes’ score of 31.  Against the Drifters, the Awali Taverners scored a good 64, including 34 retired from by Rohan, but the Englishmen floated through their innings and progressed to a semi-final place, a match to be played at 9.00am today against Darjeeling, a sobering prospect for two teams renowned for their early morning performances.  

In the Shield the Tokyo Wombats tried hard to surpass the 63 set by the Surrey Vagrants, but, despite coming close to the Big 10 with two sixes in the final over, just missed reaching it. With the Southerners chasing 49, the Floggers & Robbers made a defensive fielding start with two wickets in the first over, but the batting side responded well for the game to end with 2 required off one ball remaining. The Southerners only managed 1 run and with the scores equal lost out due to losing more wickets. 

In the Spoon Blythswood beat the Gymkhana Cavaliers and the Stuffed Beavers could not overcome the Bangkok Postels, who will now face the Wombats in the Final.

In a much awaited encounter in the Cup excellent fielding from the Bashundhara Cricketeers held the highly talented Warathais to 61, and their batting response was similarly impressive, and they won without losing a wicket.  The match between the Irish Pub and the Divine Felons was delayed by the late arrival of the Felons and the Irish Pub sportingly agreed to play without their opponents forfeiting the game.  The Irish Pub opened with 78, but despite a fine response from the Felons, they won the match and will play the Gloucestershire Gipsies in a semi-final today for a chance of winning the Cup for the first time.

The final game of the day was between teams of elders who all have long associations with cricket and the Chiang Mai Sixes.  It was especially nice to see 85 year old Bob Duncan swinging the bat like a youngster and the Bangkok Post’s own Roger Crutchley continued his annual appearance.

Today’s action starts at 9.00am with presentation of trophies at 5.30pm - for more information, check out www.chiangmaisixes.com.