Another full weekend of cricket at Horseshoe Point, the home of Pattaya Cricket Club, saw PCC play the touring Singapore Spirits.
Saturday, May 14, was a 30 over game, the first fixture between the two clubs and the Spirits won the toss and elected to bat on a sultry, humid day. But it was the PCC bowlers who had the upper hand in the early exchanges as Salman and Usman bowled a superb line and length to restrict the aggressive intent of the Spirits openers.
Pattaya Cricket Club players line up before the match against Singapore Spirits at Horseshoe Point, Saturday, May 14.
The pressure eventually told as Usman had Inzy caught behind for 8. Hansie maintained PCC’s grip on the game with a mid innings spell of 6 overs, 4 for 32 and Andy Emery ably supported the bowling attack with some often hostile but sometimes wayward swing bowling.
It was left to the captain Simon Philbrook and the returning opening bowlers to finish the innings, after a somewhat indifferent one over spell from Elfrado Roberts, restricting the Spirits to a competitive but gettable 164 for 7. Akash top scored with an adventurous 33 not out.
In reply PCC needed a solid start and they were not let down by their openers. Salman hit a fine 30, but it was Earl Brown who set about providing the stability to the innings and he scored a chanceless 11 runs, 6 off one ball, from the first 10 overs, before retiring himself after realizing it was only a 30 over game. Usman then provided the much needed impetus with a thrilling 46 from only 17 balls.
A mini mid-innings collapse left PCC needing 20 runs from the last two overs with 3 wickets left when Simon Philbrook was joined by Mickey Price, a thoroughbred of considerable age and his experience showed as he masterfully top edged his second ball over the wicketkeepers head for a vital boundary. Simon managed to find the boundary with pull shots over mid wicket and it meant that only six runs were needed off the final over. But Mickey was on strike!
Two swings and misses added to the tension. The thoroughbred then put his body on the line as a rising delivery somehow hit part of the bat and chest and a scampered single resulted. Simon then took no chance by dispatching the next delivery over the mid wicket boundary to secure a victory with only 2 balls remaining. A thrilling finish to a wonderful day of cricket. The man of the match award went to Usman for his all round performance with the bat and ball.
The following day was a T20 game starting at noon and it was rather obvious most players had enjoyed an evening of entertainment that only Pattaya can provide. Singapore Spirits batted first and the previous night’s activities certainly suited Abi as he laid into the PCC bowling with 30 off 17 balls. Inzy continued the onslaught with a dazzling 31 from 16 balls and the evergreen Noel chipped in with a timely 29 not out as the Spirits notched up a very respectable 157 from their 20 overs.
ndy Emery was the star bowler recording figures of 3 for 13 from his 4 overs.
In reply PCC totally dominated the bowling from the start with John G and Andy Emery scoring 20 and 31 respectively at a run a ball. Sunny, captain for the day in the absence of the resting Simon, continued the chase with 33 not out and was ably supported with cameos from Usman and Pavit. PCC reached their target with 2 overs to spare and then set about the bar with equal enthusiasm. Andy Emery picked up the man of the match award.
Note: Anyone wishing to know more about PCC and its future fixtures please see the website www.pattaya cricketclub.com. All are welcome.
