It was like old times at the 2018 Chiang Mai Sixes as Bangladesh side NCL Dynamites won the Cup by beating Australian team St Francis de Sales by six wickets in the final. The two sides were clearly the best two combinations in the tournament but it was Mehedi Maruf who proved the difference. Having already hit 30 in the semi-final against Kashmir Thunder, he repeated the feat later in the day to be named Player of the Finals. A busy day was not even put off course by heavy rain which delayed proceedings for an hour as a total of seven finals were decided. Central Spirit defeated Varee Thai Angels to win the Ladies Cup, while Ios Malakas beat Red Lion Wombats to win the Spoon, Drifters overcame Applecross to win the Plate, Lanna beat Roosters to win the Bowl, Got the Runs defeated Yorkshire Puddings to win the Shield and the day finished with Awali beating Summer Saints to win the Vase.
Lanna’s team led and sponsored by Jon Scales had quite a week as they managed to qualify for the Bowl competition by losing their first three games against strong teams, Yorkshire Puddings, NCL Masters and eventual runners-up St Francis. Lanna qualified for the Bowl semi-finals as they beat Roosters and lost to Armadillos, but they saved their best for the last day.
An early start against Perth Postels in the semi-final may have concentrated the team’s minds as they bowled steadily and reached their target with only one wicket down which meant they would again face Roosters in the final. Several of the Roosters play high quality cricket in England and some have toured Thailand with MCC and they soon were on top in the Bowl Final.
Four early wickets were lost as the cream of Lanna’s batting strength lost their way, but the two Thai players made the most of their chance to shine and Choo and Chaiwut took the score to a much improved 62 for 4 in five overs, Chaiwut hitting a fantastic six to end the innings in style. Lanna’s bowling was again exemplary and the team’s reward was victory by 18 runs and the club was able to put another trophy in the upstairs bar at the UN Irish Pub.
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