The final of the Cup competition provided a fitting climax to the inaugural Lanna Sixes as the two unbeaten teams who had each won their first four matches came head to head. For most of the ten overs, the boys looked like they would win a remarkable victory over a strong team from Bangkok but the experience of the Spirits allowed them to hold on and win by just two runs.
Chris Dodd’s photographs illustrate a gripping contest perfectly as the fielding from the Lanna Juniors was exceptional from the start with Chanchai taking three well-judged catches in the deep and Cher throwing himself to the ground and almost claiming the catch of the tournament.
The cream of the Spirits batting had been removed almost before the innings had got underway but the lower order kept their composure and made sure there was some sort of total on the board, but 36 for 3 did not look like a winning score by any means.
The title seemed well within reach at the end of the first over of the Juniors innings as Walter Persaud conceded 15 runs and the rate was down to five an over but Naveed showed the match wasn’t going to be one-sided by bowling a pacy second over and claiming the wicket of Cher.
Chanchai hit a precious boundary but was bowled by the slow left-arm spin of Hadi and Brijit did even beter with his leg-spin as he bowled a wicket-maiden as Jun was stumped and Por tried to play himself in. 12 were needed from the last over and Mudassir was feeling the pressure as Por hit a 3 and Choo a 2 and a wide meant the match went to the last ball.
Four runs were needed for victory but Choo could only make a single and the boys had lost by two runs but they had produced a string of good performances and had chased down targets on four occasions. The lowest target had proved just out of reach as an experienced bowling attack had proved just too much for the Juniors but second place in an eight-team event and wins over both Lanna senior teams was still a good weekend’s work.