2009. Tournament Reports

2009 Tournament Reports

Finals Day Report

Lanka Lions lifted the Cup Final in fine style yesterday to round off a tremendous second Thailand International Cricket Sixes at the Harrow International School. They defeated Falcon DNV after getting past the challenges in the group stages of favourites Etihad and their travelling companions Falcon KOTC. Former Singapore skipper, Chaminda Ruwan was the star man, as he went on to win the Player of the Final award.

The Plate saw Josephite of Bangladesh see off the challenge of Lanka Drunkers after a fine performance earlier against Beijing. Shahriar Hossain was named player of the final.

The Bowl was won by tournament newcomers, The NT Crocs against stalwarts, CBB SC’s with Tony Valle picking up the award for man of the match in near darkness. The Darwen based side’s Andrew Gaffney picked up a hat trick over two games with fine bowling.

Pattaya CC won the spoon round robin final in breathtaking fashion as skipper Simon Fulbrook smashed the required 9 runs off the final 2 bowls to leave The Crossbar Cowboys frustrated.

Earlier games had seen wins for Pelican against CBB SK’s, the Delhi Medical Association and Etihad for whom Sankat Nayak scored another retirement. Southerners Gold gave it their best shot to reach the Cup Final by seeing off Jakarta Gonads. The host clubs Andrew Purser was awarded the Player of the Tournament by the umpires panel.

The ICC award winning Asian Cricket Sixes Tour and Southerners Sports Club of Bankok ran the tournament. Large amounts of cricket equipment were donated by the clubs of Falcon, Josephite and by Imran Sports. Sotherners President, Vaughan McClear said, “ Our chosen junior cricket development will benefit enormously. As well as the equipment, around 25,000 baht has been raised. I would also like to thank Harrow International School for making available their superb facilities and the help the overseas professionals, Darren Maddy, Ian Westwood and Rikki Clarke have offered.”

ACST Chairman, Michael “Cat” Maher said, “I am delighted with the friendship and camaraderie shown by all teams and I am very excited about what an international and regional array of teams have truly entered making friendships through cricket.” He also thanked the tournament sponsors The Chaophya Park Hotel, San Miguel, Etihad Airways, Bully’s Pub, The Crossbar and MBMG.

The ACST tour moves onto Hong Kong in a months time for another fun filled event.

Day Two Report

Play got underway in the preliminary stages of the Thailand International Cricket Sixes on a beautiful early morning at the Harrow International School. The teams appeared in good spirits after a splendid opening cocktail reception at the tournament sponsors, The Chaophya Park Hotel. All participants joined in on the tournament theme of “Quality Time”.

The star players from the UK, Darren Maddy, Rikki Clarke and Ian Westwood were most impressed by what they have seen. Former international Maddy said: “It has been fantastic to visit such a wonderful event and to see participants making friendships through the game of cricket. It is also great to see the efforts being made by Southerners Sports Club and the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour to introduce youngsters to cricket in Thailand, which will benefit everybody in years to come”.

On the pitch the matches took place in the preliminary rounds before the sides were divided into four divisions, The Cup, Plate, Bowl and Spoon, depending on their earlier results.

The pick of the earlier round saw some impressive performances from late arrivals, Jakarta Gonads under Robbie Whiteman, as they saw off the Delhi Medical Association and CBB SK’s. Southerners Gold made their intentions clear with two victories over Garden International School Gladiators, whom they bowled out, and their Pattaya neighbours, Ban Chang Bulls, with Andrew Purcell starring. Both Lanka sides, The Lions and Drunkers from Singapore put in impressive displays, including a fine retirement from Aftab Aziz for the latter. Ian Westwood once again oozed class for Falcon DNV. Arguably the most clinical performance came from defending Cup winners and tournament sponsors, Etihad, as they took apart The Crossbar Cowboys in a game that saw last years Player of the Tournament, Sanket Nayak hit an unbeaten 33.

Falcon DNV scored a breathtaking win in the last over against Southerners Gold in the opening Cup game as they chased down 62 runs, while Lanka Lions breezed past Falcon KOTC’s 34 in just three overs. In the Plate the Bangladesh side, Josephite only mustered 33 runs, but it was enough to defeat Southerners Old in an astonishing battle featuring four run outs. Garden International School’s 47 was too much for the Bounty Buccaneers, who have played above themselves thus far. Play ended in the gloom with bright orange balls coming into operation. The Chiang Mai outfit, Floggers and Robbers saw enough to get past the Delhi Medical Association score of 28 in the final over.

All participants retired to tournament sponsors, The Crossbar for a party after play. Play continues at 8.15am on Sunday morning. Admission is free and refreshments are available.

Money is being raised at the tournament for the Southerners Sports Club chosen junior development scheme at Petchabun and the club are appealing for any unwanted cricket equipment to be donated to assist the next generation of Thai players.

Day One Report

Play got underway at lunchtime on Friday at the second Thailand International Cricket Sixes, which is being held at the Harrow International School. The ground looked a picture with its new manicured turf doing the venue proud. The previous evening, the players and officials engaged in meetings and an excellent opening function at the Chaophya Park Hotel and Bully’s Pub.

The tournament, which has twenty-one teams competing, saw games in the preliminary rounds, which will lead to the Finals Day on Sunday.

The day’s highlights saw Beijing CC’s 63 being too many for Pelicans thanks to an excellent contribution from star player and former England man, Rikki Clarke. The Bangladeshi challenge in the form of Josephite saw off the Northern Territory Crocs in emphatic fashion. A tight game between two sixes stalwarts saw Floggers and Robbers overhaul The Bounty Buccaneers total of 35.

Newcomers, Pattaya CC mustered up 44 runs against the Cup holders Etihad who put down an early marker of their intentions. Last years Cup runners up, CBB SC’s fell 8 runs short chasing a very competitive 61 run target set by the Kuwaiti side, Falcon KOTC. Their other side Falcon DNV, fielding Warwickshire county captain, Ian Westwood beat local newcomers, The Crossbar Cowboys.

Host club Southerners Old set a score of 35 against The Bounty Buccaneers, which turned out to be not enough, as the Malaysian side won an exhilarating game off the final ball. Pattaya sides Garden International School Gladiators and Ban Chang Bulls clashed, with the Bulls 36 being knocked off in good time by their neighbours to earn a bonus point. Southerners Old bettered their previous score but it proved inadequate against the Lanka Lions of Singapore.

ACST Chairman, Michael “Cat” Maher said: I am very proud that this excellent tournament is assisting the Southerners junior cricket development at Petchabun so we can help the game to continue to grow in Thailand”. Southerners are collecting any unwanted cricket equipment to assist the kids and they have received some very generous donations so far, but are still looking for more.

All participants retired to the tournament hotel, the Chaophya Park for the cocktail party after play. Play continues at 8.15am on Saturday morning. Admission is free and refreshments are available.