Lanna never quite recovered from losing three early wickets as their top three batsmen scoring only one run between them. Over-confidence may have been a factor as the beers began to flow on Friday evening and the visitors were told that Pattaya CC would have a weaker team on the Saturday than on the Sunday.
Martin Cardno and Walter Persaud steadied the ship against the medium pace of Peter Bass and the left-arm spin of 70-year-old David Scott who both bowled very well and Matt Bray top-scored with 28 as the lower-order helped him add 53 in the last 10 overs from a tricky position of 61 for six as John Speirs and Richard Harvey both claimed two wickets.
A total of 114 in 30 overs was a lot better than it might have been for Lanna and early wickets may have put pressure on the home side but this was not to be as Dan Nicholson and Venky shared an opening partnership of 85 but the loss of four quick wickets suggest Pattaya may well have had a ‘weak underbelly’ as Bobby Young suggested later.
Pattaya won by six wickets with 5.1 overs to spare and the loud claps of thunder and flashes of lightning did not herald the torrential downpours feared. The afternoon cleared for the ceremonial drinks session and Lanna bought rounds of beers for their hosts and visited club sponsor The Players Lounge on the way back to celebrate Pattaya’s success with some traditional chip butties.
Lanna would have to do better in the second match against the much feared stronger side. Early nights for all.