Pattaya Cricket Club entertained the recently crowned ACC Women’s Premier 2014 champions, the Thailand National Women’s team, at the Thai Polo Ground on Saturday, March 8, in a league fixture that was always going to be a hard assignment.
In the absence of the club captain Simon Philbrook due to injury, his able deputy Salman managed to lose the toss and PCC were asked to bowl first on a bright but very warm afternoon.
Andy Emery bowls to Fon during the first innings.
In the opening exchanges and against such stiff opposition Hamza’s length proved uncomfortable for the diminutive openers Fon and Jean, and Jean (9 runs), a reluctant hooker, soon succumbed as she was caught at mid wicket by David Callick fending off a ball from under her chin.
Despite the early probing of Thomas and Hamza, the PCC bowlers failed to penetrate any more of the top order. Fon, after the initial testing examination, got her head down to hold up an end and was joined by the Thailand captain Noy, who had shunned the use of a helmet. Soon the runs began to flow as they both punished anything short. At drinks (13overs) the score had reached 48/1 and the ladies were well positioned for a second half onslaught.
John G’s belligerent 56 helped Pattaya to the target of 122.
After the break, the bowling lengths of both Booby Young and Richard Harvey were much more to the liking of the ladies and they duly capitalized with an array of stunning strokes all round the wicket. Lord Harvey did finally slip one past Noy’s bat to end an enjoyable innings of 39. But Fon (41no) continued with an immaculate technique and, ably supported by Yui (14no), the ladies posted an accomplished 121/2 from their 25 overs.
Needing to be firm in the opening overs it was decided Andy Emery should be promoted to open the innings with John G. But sadly for Andy there was no happy ending when after a rush of blood to the head he dragged a wide ball onto his stumps for 6. John G, the diminutive Aussie feeling like a giant surrounded by Thai women cricketers, was in an altogether more dominant mood. Despite being let off early in his innings when he was dropped at short extra cover, he hit an aggressive 56 before being bowled by the wily spin of Aami.
Salman contributed another 23 runs before popping one down the throat of an expectant Pizzy at mid wicket when attempting to pull Aami and Dave C (18) missed a straight one tossed up by Noy. When Thomas was run out for 6, it was eventually left to Dan Nicholson (3no) and John ‘The Anchor’ Spiers (2no) to guide PCC limply over the line with 2 overs in hand. The win sees PCC stay top of the league with three fixtures remaining.
After the game Simon, the PCC chairman, congratulated the Thai National Women on their recent success in the ACC Women’s Premier championship and presented Noy with the player of the match award.
PCC would like to thank their sponsors the Pattaya Sports Club for all their support and anyone wishing to get involved with the club is encouraged to visit the website: www. pattayacricketclub or the club Facebook page.
PCC’s next fixture is Saturday 15th March at the Thai Polo Ground from noon versus a touring team from England.
Player of the match Noy cracks another boundary during her fluent knock of 39.
