The junior teams from Chiang Mai and Lamphun made the most of the chance of a practice match at Royals to complete their preparations for the National Youth Games which are being played in Chanthaburi from 16th to 27th March. It was a close contest between two of the teams who will be competing for gold medals over the next two weeks but Chiang Mai (effectively CPP School from Doi Saket) held on to beat Lamphun (most of whom have played for Lanna Juniors) by three runs, even though captain Cher made 42 and Chanchai 27.
Lamphun coach Chris Dodd certainly wouldn’t have been pleased with his team conceding 44 extras but it was good to see the two northern provinces playing a match after almost a year. Most of the other provinces in the cricket competition do not have the opportunity to play 25-over cricket in such good conditions.
The National Youth Games is organized by the Sports Authority of Thailand and sees cricket take its place alongside all the traditional Thai sports so it is the most important junior competition of the year. Lamphun are defending men’s champions but Bunchuai has graduated from star player to coach and Chris’ girls are also competiting in the women’s competition.
Eleven provinces have been divided into four groups in both men’s and women’s competitions and it is expected that Chiang Mai and Lamphun will reach the later stages of both competitions with the second round beginning on 21st March, the semi-finals scheduled for 23rd March and the finals for 25th March.