One of the highlights of the local season is being played at Gymkhana on 27th March as the Ian McDougall Shield is being held for the fourth time. This is a warm-up competition for the Chiang Mai Sixes sponsored by UN Irish Pub as Sandy and Dean want local teams to have a day of fun cricket to honour their friend who so enjoyed being part on UN Irish Pub sides at the Sixes.
Six local teams will be involved with San Miguel Thais, Stuffed Beavers and UN Irish Pub in one group and Lanna, Lanna International School (LIST) and Floggers & Robbers in the other. Every team will play two group matches and the two best teams will play-off in the final to win a very prestigious competition,
The Shield is a very appropriate trophy to be playing for as UN Irish Pub are the current holders of the Shield in the Chiang Mai Sixes and the pub team also won the competition back in 2007 when some very familiar faces were playing in the side.
Lanna members are involved in most of the teams with Chris Coombes, Beaver of the Year, playing for the Stuffed Beavers, Principal Hugh Williams heading his LIST team, and Jon Danby will be UN Irish’s secret weapon (if he makes it). The juniors are combining with Lamphun to form the SM Thais team and the Floggers side also contains many familiar faces.
It should be a wonderful day of fun and frivolity on and off the field with play getting underway at 10-00 am with the day’s action completed with a ladies match as the girls, Thai and Farang, are getting ready for next week’s Ladies Cup involving three teams, Chiang Mai Chassies, Beaverettes and Thai Angels.
UN Irish Pub are providing a sumptuous lunch for everybody involved and there will be a well-stocked bar with all proceeds going to the Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance so Martin and Puy can continue with their coaching in local schools.