The climax to a memorable season for Pattaya Cricket Club, affiliated with the Pattaya Sports Club, was achieved with an exciting 9 run victory in the Grand Final last Sunday at Harrow International School. Pattaya Cricket Club fittingly played Indorama CC in the final, as they had been the two dominant teams throughout this season’s Bangkok Cricket League.
After a fraught minibus journey that saw the PCC team arrive at the ground only 10 minutes before the scheduled start time, Simon Philbrook, the club captain, ran to the wicket to toss the coin. PCC were asked to bat first with an outfield that was very damp in parts and looked extremely lush after heavy overnight rain.
Pattaya Cricket Club skipper Simon Philbrook (center) holds the 2nd division champions’ trophy as he celebrates with teammates following Pattaya’s 9 run win over Indorama at the Harrow International School in Bangkok, Sunday, May 11.
Scoring was always going to be difficult in the humid conditions and Venky (6) soon perished, caught in the covers. John Speirs (7) also found runs hard to come by against the very quick and at times hostile opening bowlers. But John Giuffrida was looking his characteristic, dogged self and when joined by his fellow Aussie countryman Dave Callick, along with a few carefully selected antipodean words of encouragement, the pair began to steer the innings in the right direction.
At 74/2 in the 15th over PCC were well placed for a last 10 over acceleration. John G (54) eventually fell to the impressive Amand (3/18) but Dave (50no) continued the momentum by regularly finding the boundary as PCC closed on 138/5.It was a competitive total but the PCC bowlers would have to bowl at their very best. Salman (2/24) and Thomas Manoj (0/26), despite some early wides, duly obliged as the Indorama batsmen also found the conditions challenging.
Dalip (13) was trapped lbw by Salman who then clean bowled an over-expansive Sumeet (5). The wily off-spin of John Speirs (1/9) was too much for Rachit (15) and PCC had reduced their opponents to 46/3 by the 11th over.
In came Dhiraj, the centurion from the league encounter earlier in the season and PCC knew his was the key wicket. Dhiraj soon raced to 24 and with the score at 91/3 in the 17th over the game was truly in the balance. To follow his fine batting innings Dave Callick, bowling full and straight, changed the game in the space of 2 overs as he removed Dhiraj lbw and Irish Ian (14). Supported admirably by 16 year old Hamza (0/16) and Andy Emery (0/23), Dave (3/26) completed his man of the match performance to restrict Indorama to 129/6 as PCC won by a slender but controlled 9 runs.It was the perfect end to a perfect season as PCC remained unbeaten in all league and cup games.
Dave Callick (center) won the man of the match award following his fine performance with both bat and ball.
“It has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding season for everyone associated with the club. It is fantastic for a club that was formed as recently as January 2010 to finish the season unbeaten in all competitions and is undoubtedly the highlight in the club’s brief history,” said PCC chairman and captain Simon Philbrook. PCC’s next cricket event is the PCC Super 8’s, in association with Pattaya Sports Club, at the Thai Polo Ground on Saturday 31st May and 1st June. This is an 8-a-side tournament with the Premier League champions the Southerners CC, Siam CC and the British Club joining PCC in a 2-day competition in a fast and furious version of the game that promises to be exciting from the start.PCC would like to express their gratitude to the Pattaya Sports Club for the invaluable support throughout the season, without which much of the year’s success would not have been possible.For more information on all fixtures and events please see the club website: www. pattayacricketclub.com or visit the clubs Facebook page.
