Leading Bangkok Cricket League sides Southerners and Siam CC made their annual pilgrimage to Chiang Mai to contest the much-vaunted Colonel’s Cup and it was Southerners who came out on top in an engrossing battle at Prem Oval as Southerners won by 3 wickets after a fighting display from the Parrots.
This was the 12th time that the Colonel’s Cup has been played with Siam’s Tony Slatter having appeared in every match.and as usual local players and officials were invited to take part. Chanchai and Richard Cowles both impressed for Southerners as Chai claimed figures of 3 for 53 and made fielding look effortless, while Richard made his second successive fifty against Bangkok sides to play a crucial part in a demanding chase.
Siam set off well with the bat on winning the toss as Nick Newell and Jacques Carstens shared an opening stand of 54 but the introduction of spin saw a collapse to 74 for 5. Robert Raina started slowly but Jock Tulloch went for his shots and the pair added an impressive 118 for the sixth wicket, enjoying some friendly bowling after Wooden and Jacobs had finished their spells.
Chanchai ended the partnership as he bowled Robert Raina for 49 and took the catch as Tulloch fell for 65 but the tail saw the total through 241 for 9 from 45 overs after a highly entertaining innings after which players and officials enjoyed the extensive lunch provided by Krapood Kitchen.
Siam had done well to reach a respectable score and the Parrots were squawking with delight when Nathan Kincaid was run out without facing from the first ball of the innings. Daniel Jacobs tried to make up for this mishap by coming down the wicket and hitting hard and straight as he made 29 from just 14 balls but at 54 for 3 Southerners were in need of a substantial partnership.
Peter Wooden, who had played for New South Wales as a junior, and is now Thailand’s coach and development officer, looked a quality player from his first defensive shot and was so composed as he built his innings with an immaculate technique, and he was joined by Lanna’s very own Richard Cowles who quickly grew in confidence as his trademark cover-drives began to find the boundary.
Both batsmen reached their fifties and Richard can be pleased that he outscored his illustrious partner in a stand of 124 which ended as he was caught behind for 66 from 63 balls with 4 sixes and 6 fours. It was a surprise when Wooden was caught on the boundary for a serene 80 with 5 sixes and 6 fours but this gave us the prospect of an exciting finish.
Siam now had to bowl out Southerners to have any chance of winning so their four frontline bowlers were all looking for wickets and the seventh wicket was claimed when Chanchai was bowled for 2 with 34 runs still require. Matt Henderson played a typical wicket-keeper’s innings and he was supported by Vaughan McClear who made five singles from his 18 balls but Henderson duly hit the winning runs as he finished unbeaten on 39 as Southerners made 244 for 7 from 36.1 overs to triumph by three wickets.
Richard Bowater took charge of the presentations as the Colonel’s Cup was again handed over to Southerners and Kiwi also presided over the traditional slammer session as he was very appreciative of the superb facilities provided by David Buck at Prem and by the quality of the officials who were more than happy to support this prestigious occasion.
Daniel Jacobs, who scored a blistering century against Gymkhana at RBSC, and Peter Wooden are high class players but it was good to see Chanchai and Richard Cowles play their part in a fine victory for Southerners. The BCL Premier Division is now a quality competition and it is hoped that more matches like this can be played at Prem in the future and even that it can become the regular home of Thai cricket.