To our Stars: A very warm welcome back to our most valuable Sri Lankan friends lead by Roshan Mahanama, Sidath Wettimuny and Amal Silva. We also hope to welcome again our old time friends Trevor Chappell and Kenny Jackson.

Sadly we’ll be without Brian & Hilary Neve. The Sixes will miss them – Brian after many year’s tireless work on the scoreboard has had to give way to ill health. Hilary too did much for the Sixes with collections for junior cricket via her sponsored swims and as a match steward. I’d like to thank them personally and wish them the very best of health and happiness.

No rule changes this year. The big “10”s remain thanks to Champion and CMW. A batsman, who hits a “Big 10” banner on the fly, will earn 10 runs. The score will be credited to the batsman and the sponsor of the banner will pay Baht 3,000/hit to the Junior Cricket Program.

The Boundary Bar has not moved BUT we have a new bar chief, and a pretty good looking babe “Khun Awn” she is too !! Terry and Jenny have once again agreed to perform their magic every afternoon. We invite everyone to support this attraction.

It has been a very exciting year for the Chiang Mai Junior Cricket Program. Under the guidance of coach David Buck, the Thailand under 13 team made up of 5 children from Chiang Mai earned a 3 rd place finish in the Tunka Jaffa cup held in Bangkok this year and though losing narrowly to Malaysia and Hong Kong were not once “all-out” throughout the whole tournament. A first for Thailand and proof that the development programs in Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen are showing very concrete results. You will, once again, witness the progress of the children both in the “Sawasdee” competition and hardball demonstration match to be held on the main field, morning of Saturday 2 nd April.

We give thanks once again to our perennial sponsors: TAT, who help supply the booze for the Welcome Cocktails; Trevor Jones and STEC, who for the 18 years of this event have supplied and cooked the pigs for the wonderful Pig Picking Night; Khun Preecha, chairman of our host, the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club and all the club committee, who have been so supportive of both the adult and children cricket program; Justin Barnett at Tesco Lotus who has given so much of his time to Chiang Mai cricket. The airlines – Julianne Rogers at BA, who was instrumental in bringing Sir Viv from Antigua to London. Kirk Allbrow of Etihad, the official airline of the UAE, for bringing Sir Viv and manager from London to Bangkok. Hussain Sajay of Sri Lankan Airlines and Merita Ombuor of Kenya Aiurways. Pornping Towers, who provide the location for the Welcome Cocktails, once again being held in the Ballroom on the mezzanine floor. To NFP, our official caterer and to all the magazine and banner advertisers – thank you.

Last but not least, my committee, who once again have been the backbone of the tournament. Viking – Rick Davis, our World Coordinator, the jack of all Sixes trades without whom we would struggle. Geoff Thompson, our magazine editor and ideas man. Peter Dawson for the great grounds and of course Anne Dawson from her newly elevated position as Chief Scorer. David Walker, Geoff’s assistant, who has also brought us advertising. Awn our new lady bar keeper. TAT for always remaining on the Committee. Mike McCune, our website host, who has extended his assistance with not only the website but also organizing the internet line. Eric Little, Mr “Sawasdee” the man himself in the junior cricket scene. Very quiet year from our two, behind the scenes men, co-ordinators Ian Liddell and Charlie Chelliah. Tony Gough, the big chief umpire, once again just getting on and organizing his team. Terry and Jenny who aside from their continual support throughout the year have once again volunteered the invaluable services behind the bar. My dear wife, Renita, who still does all the work. Our chairman, Bryan, late last year had a serious brain tumor operation, which happily we can report was successful. Bryan still contributes time to the Sixes for which we are always grateful. Thank you one and all. If I have forgotten anyone (my usual trick), please forgive me. Without the team behind the scenes, there wouldn’t be a Chiang Mai Sixes.