The Pattaya-RST Indoor league is in full swing and the matches at Rugby School Thailand on Monday 12th September produced close finishes and plenty of wickets. Pattaya played SRF from Rayong and due to both teams being defeated last week, a win was essential to make progress up the table.
Jainish from Pattaya won the toss and decided to bowl first. Capt. Dinesh and Sunny opened for SRF against Habby. Dinesh was adept at steering the quick deliveries behind the wicket but Sunny fell LBW on his first ball. Jainish also had success when Dinesh was caught at mid-wicket by Trevor, and Amit, not wishing to be outdone, had Sunny caught by Jainish at mid-off from what would have been a wide ball. So only 11 for 3 off the first 3 overs and a slow start. Ricky (14) and Praveen (18) picked up the strike rate with quick running and plenty of 5’s (2 runs up the wicket and 1 off the wall). Habby was on form when in his second over, he bowled Ricky and after a No Ball, he bowled Praveen.
Animal was taken for 15 runs and the pair put on 34 runs but lost 10. 37 for 5 and a bit to do. Shiv and Narendra took the crease for the final 3 overs for SRF. Amit bowled a loose ball to Narendra who smashed it towards Animal, who took a magnificent catch at cover on the second juggle. Habby took the final over and despite a few wides managed to induce confusion between the batsmen and a good throw from Amit had Shiv run out by Habby. A good score of 86 runs off the bat, but the loss of 7 wickets reduced the score to 51 for 7.
Colin Clark returned to the team and opened the batting with Jainish against Ricky, but it was Navrendra who made the breakthrough in the second over. Colin was bowled playing inside the line and was LBW 2 balls later. He says he wasn’t LBW, but Colin always says that. Jainish hit Shiv for 2 6’s to score 22 for his 3 overs and the score went on to 23 for 2. Amit and Habby took the crease next. Again, it was Narendra that did the damage in the second over, bowling Habby and Amit (17).
Ricky continued the punishment when he bowled Habby through the gap and PCC stuttered to 38 for 5, but only 14 required off the last 3 overs. Trevor and Animal obliged Dinesh who bowled a very tidy over by pinning Animal down (not an easy feat) for 3. Trevor managed to get runs from Praveen and PCC were 1 run ahead with one over to go. Narendra needed wickets but alas 2 more runs and PCC won by 3 with 54 for 5. The win took them off the bottom of the table with 27 points. SRF have 17 points.
The other match was Ali Baba v RST. Ali Baba batted first and scored a creditable 77 for 4, aided by 22 in wides and a 21 from Ricky. RST retained their wickets early-on and there was nothing between the teams, but the last 3 overs cost them 4 wickets and the match. 55 for 5 and a win to Ali Baba by 22 runs and top of the table with 51 points. RST are in close contention with PCC having won one each, in second place with 33 points.
Remember dear readers, you heard it here first, off the record, on the QT and very hush hush.
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