SOUTHERNERS SPORTS CLUB

Horseshoe Point in Pattaya was the venue for a friendly game played on Sunday 16 January between Southerners B team and Pattaya Cricket Club.

Click here to read more and view some pictures from the day…

Last month’s B Division game started out with a good opening spell by Chanda and Dinesh. As always, Chanda took wickets with his pace, finishing with three. Luckless Dinesh had obviously upset the cricketing gods and had to be content with repeatedly beating the outside edge of the bat. Nadeem rotate the bowlers well, with Giles picking up another wicket. The Chicha Boys did well to put away any half-bad (or bad) balls for four, and played their trademark aggressive running between wickets well. That running got them valuable extra runs but cost them a wicket to a rocket powered direct hit by Trent. Unfortunately the opposition Indian batsmen played as if the I in AIT was India, as they Hauritzed our spinners leaving them 5-100 at drinks. From the moment Trent sent down a vicious bouncer first ball after drinks, the complexion of the innings changed completely. After that, a Kentucky Fried triple-wicket maiden by Andy, sandwiched between wickets from Trent had them bowled out for 112 with their last 5 overs unused.

Our chase was blighted by the constant trickle of wickets that we lost throughout the innings. Trent and Giles were able to put together a useful 2nd wicket partnership early on, with the Southerners on target with the assistance of some generous wides by their bowlers. However the run-rate slowed and wickets started falling when pies were brought onto the menu. We really need to find a topless net to practice this kind of bowling for next time. Leigh did well during the middle overs to top score with 25 despite his badge of honor (see photo), but the run rate was up to a run a ball for the last half a dozen overs. The lower order made a great effort, but we finished up only a few runs short of the target, bowled out in the last over for 108.

Bad luck boys, but we played well, and the game was played in a good spirit.

Chandar 3 wickets, Chicken 3, Trent 2, Giles 1.
Extras 26 runs, Leigh 25, Giles 19, Trent 10.

Words: Chicken Andy Leicester

The Southerners were runners-up in the Bowl final of the 4th Bangkok Indoor Cricket league, conducted at the Bangkok Cricket Academy (BCA) over the weekend.

The BCA won the toss and chose to bat first. After being down 10/2, they progressed with a good middle order partnership. The Southerners bowlers did well to restrict them to 83/6 as they bundled out in 8.3 overs from the allotted 12 overs. Chander was the pick of the bowlers conceding the least amount of runs and picking up two important wickets. Mudassir proved he is second to none behind the wicket, stunning one and all yet again with an awesome stumping.

The target of 84 runs was achievable considering the flexible rules of the league. In most cases it would be comfortably chased, however the Southerners unfortunately lost wickets at regular intervals, making it tougher on the batsmen that followed. Mudassir had a good knock at the beginning, followed by Nadeem and Vicky towards the end, carrying us well within sight of victory but not quite over the line. In the end, the Southerners fell 11 runs short of victory in the 10th over.

Despite not quite getting enough runs to take the overall title, congratulations must be extended to everyone who turned up on the three weekends and who made the tournament all the more enjoyable.

To view a full suite of photos from the final, click here.

BCA: 83/6 (Chandar 2wkts, Khan 2wkts, Nadeem 1 wkt, Andy 1wkt)
Southerners: 72/6 (Mudassir 18, Vicky 18, Nadeem 17)
Result: BCA won by 11 runs

Credit: Khan (words), Chandar (pictures)

It was a fun-filled weekend of cricket with Southerners’ B Division team registering their first win of the season in an all-round team effort.

Having won the toss, Nadeem chose to bat first.  After an early collapse, it looked like we would be struggling to even put on a decent score. However, it was not to be, thanks to a couple of partnerships that set-up a fighting score in the end. The innings was rebuilt through two phases.

Duncan settled the ship with his calm and composed 36 which included a beautiful hook for six and a few very well executed boundaries towards the end of the innings. He was well supported by Leigh in a 61-run partnership providing a nice platform. Leigh made patient 15.

The second phase comprised a rather aggressive approach from Chicken Andy who was again well complimented by Gordon coupled with wonderful running between the wickets. Andy blasted off to 31 runs off just 22 deliveries reaching his best score with the bat for the Southerners. Gordon made an attacking 17.

In the second innings, young Chandar and Abhijit gave us a good start, bowling tight spells with Chandar rattling the top order by picking up 2 wickets in his spell. It was followed by good bowling spells from Duncan, Gordon, and Leigh. Nadeem rotated the bowling well.  For a brief moment it looked like Indorama were shifting the balance, but we were all over them and never let them off the hook, with Duncan again coming good with the ball and winning the well deserved “Man of the match” award for his all-round effort. Duncan and Leigh picked up a piece each with Khan finishing with 3 wickets down the line.

Graham was brilliant behind the wickets saving several runs down the leg side and getting a couple of beautifully executed stumpings.

Southerners: 140/8 (Duncan 36, Chicken Andy 31, Gordon 17, Leigh 15)
Indorama: 126/8 (Khan 3wkts, Chandar 2wkts, Duncan 1wkt, Leigh 1wkt)
Result: Southerners won by 14 runs
Man of the Match: Duncan Kiwi

Cricket training is back on for the 2010-2011 Bangkok Cricket Season!  Now is the perfect time to dust off the cobwebs, have a hit and roll your arm over – and meet others from the club.  The 2nds will be kicking off the season on 14 November – time to get ready!

Where: British Club Cricket Nets (Silom Soi 18)
When: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: 60Bt
Secret passcode: Go right to the end of the soi and tell the guard at the boom gate you are there for cricket. You may have to sign a name list that he will have at the front gate. The nets are around the back of the main clubhouse (far back corner).
If raining: Nets will not be on.