Pattaya Cricket Club recently embarked on their 2nd ever tour – for a Triangular T20 Tournament in Chiang Mai on Feb. 23 & 24. The games involved Chiang Mai, Pattaya and a select XI from Patong in Phuket. Pattaya had a 12 strong army of men, arriving fully prepared for a social tour of cricket and fun!
Chiang Mai and Pattaya kicked off the first game with Chiang Mai electing to bat. The hosts made a flying start on their beautiful Gymkhana ground. The ball was dispatched to the boundary at regular intervals and there was a fair bit of calamity shown by the fielding Pattaya side. That was not helped with their star allrounder Slinky having broken a rib in very suspicious circumstances. Only G.I Joe could take any credit from his all action ground fielding.
The club’s famous motto given by the legendary Slasher Roberts, “It’s only a dropped catch if it touches the hand,” was taken a bit too literally as players seemed to be running the opposite direction of the ball. This resulted in a huge total for the hosts of 237 in 20 overs.
In reply Pattaya made a desperate start when Dan was out for a duck. However, that brought the lethal combination of Jonny G and Captain Phillbrook to the crease. Jonny G was like a whirlwind, smashing some devilish shots all over the park, whereas Simon was much more sensible in his approach. The pair were on target with only 6 overs to go, only for Chiang Mai to bring on Glamorgan Under 19 player Liam to finally take the wicket of Simon (38) who went scarlet in his frustration of letting his wicket fall. Eventually the run chase ended at a very respectable 184, with Jonny G top scoring on 74.
The following day saw Pattaya play a Patong select XI, who appeared to select very well, bringing in several Premier League players from the Southerners and Parrots. Pattaya won the toss and batted. Dan blazed his way at the top of the innings with form reminiscent of his youth. He dictated to the bowlers from the start and was ruthless to anything that didn’t seem worthy. With useful contributions from several players lower down, Dan’s 85 helped Pattaya to a healthy total of 169.
Pattaya Cricket Club line up for their match against Chiang Mai.
Pattaya saw an opportunity and opened with Bobby, who managed to sniff out a wicket with the 2nd ball of the game. This was backed up by Holty who managed to pick up a wicket with his ‘mysteron’ ball and thanks to the agility shown by wicketkeeper Jonny G. This pressure increased when Andy was galloping into bowl and it looked like Pattaya might canter to victory. However, Chris had other ideas and started to smash the bowlers all around the ground.
With the game about to reach its climax, Simon had no other thought than to bring back Bobby, who is famed for his blocking of all finishing strokes. However, his slow poison was not enough this time to stop Patong winning with 5 balls to spare.
Simon Phillbrook (right) presents a trophy to the captain of the RAW Cricket Club following their match at Thai Polo Club, Saturday, March 2.
Both games were fantastic performances and Pattaya showed brave hearts and courage whilst playing against younger and fitter opposition. It was a great weekend of sport and we will look forward to our next jolly boys outings – wherever that maybe.
A special thanks to Danielle for scoring and Rabbi for umpiring – you both did a wonderful job. There were a few alarming moments when the team’s mascot Patsy was thought to be abducted, but luckily she was found safe and sound after an “all-nighter”
Indian under-25’s defeat Pattaya CC in tense finish
One week after the Chiang Mai trip, the RAW Cricket Club from Goa in India brought their under 25’s XI to Thailand and played Pattaya CC in a 40 over game at Thai Polo Ground in Pattaya on Saturday, March 2.
The game was always going to be a tough match for PCC against a youthful and enthusiastic under-25’s of considerable talent. PCC, were at nearly full strength, with Simon Philbrook as Captain and the Thai national wicketkeeper Sunny as his deputy.
PCC won the toss and elected to bat first on a very warm morning. Debdas perished in the 3rd over as he chipped a catch to mid wicket. Simon joined Sunny and the pair soon knuckled down to the task as they withstood a very hostile new ball attack led by Bala and Abhu. Sunny nearly lost his smile and teeth as a bouncer whistled under his nose at 90 mph and Simon had several bruises around the rib cage but both survived and slowly began to dominate.
The Chiang Mai road warriors ready for action.
At 48 for 1 PCC seemed to be edging the contest until Sunny skied an attempted drive and was caught at cover point for 18. Salman then joined the fray and was immediately in the runs as he took the game to RAW CC. Again PCC seemed to be moving into a strong position at 134 for 2 but Salman was out caught, trying to hit over the infield for 37. That sparked a middle order collapsed that the RAW CC bowlers relished as only Mithu with 17no contributed anything of significance.
Simon eventually fell to a superb catch on the boundary that would have been a maximum but for the tremendous athleticism of Abhu for a hard fought 80. Bala returned to clean up the tail that definitely did not wag. He finished with a hatrick that included long walks for Hamza, Andy and Jerome and figures of 4 for 14 from 7 overs. PCC set a target of 190 to win.
In reply RAW CC were immediately under pressure as Usman gave the opening batsmen a taste of their own medicine and the pressure soon paid off as he clean bowled Siddesh (4), had Abhu lbw (0) and the captain Tushar caught behind (7). RAW were 32 for 3 but the experienced Bala, ably supported by his middle order kept them in the game.
When Thomas had Bala (49) caught and bowled and Usman returned to trap Avdhut lbw (32) the result was very much in the balance at 170 for 6. Debdas continued the squeeze but as regularly as wickets fell runs were being scored. Eventually one run was needed with one wicket remaining and the excellent Abhijit (22 no) fittingly cover drove the ball through the gap to end a marvellous game of cricket.
Men of the match were Simon and Bala who each received mementos for their efforts and RAW CC kindly donated a wonderful trophy to commemorate the first of what is hoped to be one of many PCC v RCC fixtures in the future.
Note: If anyone is interested in playing cricket in Pattaya, we cater for players in the ranges of good, the bad and the ugly – so get in touch with our chairman Simon at [email protected] and visit our superb new ground at Thai Polo.
