The last match of 2015 was also the first league match of the season and defending champions Lanna started the defence of their trophy will victory over Lanna Thais but the new side which is a mixture of juniors from CMSCA schools and older players involved in supporting junior cricket made a good impression on a very enjoyable day at Prem.
Lanna made a steady start thanks to Richard Cowles and Walter Persaud but in was left to Martin Cardno who had again flown in from Hua Hin to inject some pace into the innings as he made 55 from 40 balls with eight fours before Eddie Joyner, surprisingly held back until the 17th over, got the crucial wicket.
Captain Pete Warner and Adam Green, as they do so often, made useful contributions but Martin Papworth proved the right man to run through the tail to finish with figures of 3 for 28 and Lanna were actually bowled out from the last ball of the 30th over as JD was run out. A total of 182 was more than useful but not out of range for Lanna Thais.
Jun has been batting well this season and wicket-keeper George Hamilton promoted to open is finding his feet after returning form England. The pair added 44 in 7 overs before George fell to the leg-spin of Russell Ward. Jun and Min then both went for their shots to keep Lanna Thais up with the rate.
Martin was promoted to the prenier number four position but he made the game seem more like a Test match as he made 9 from 27 balls but Lanna Thais still managed to raise the 100 with only two wickets down. Tom Salusbury’s flight proved too much for young Min but an innings of 28 from 32 balls showed great promise and the chairman followed with the crucial wicket of Richard Young who had the power of shot to win the match on his own.
The master baker had already laid on a tea with a festive flavour and he followed up by returning figures of 4 for 27 as Lanna Thais were dismissed for 148 as Lanna won a competitive match by 34 runs
Lanna showed that they will still be the team to beat in the Chiang Mai Senior League, but Lanna Thais had given a very good account of themselves in their first league match by bowling out their more illustrious opponents and also reaching 100 with only two wickets down.
An early finish to the league match allowed the seniors to enjoye a lovely afternoon in the serene surroundings of Prem to ensure the Lanna’s cricket year to end on a high.
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