Gymkhana Club resisted RBSC’s challenge led by a fine all-round performance from Gaurav who took 5 for 13 and hit an unbeaten 42 to win the Intraport match by 13 runs as RBSC visited Chiang Mai.
Brian Quinton took the honours for Gymkhana Club with 35* from 33 balls as he overcame a slow start to play some fine shots as Champ also batted well to make 31 from 27 balls. Irshad also played well as Gymkhana Club reached 95 for two.
Gaurav had started the match as RBSC’s keeper but he took the ball after the drinks break and quickly made an impression as he took three wickets in four balls in his first over to reduce Gymkhana Club to 95 for five.
Four batters made ducks as Gaurav hit the stumps five times and it looked as if Gymkhana Club would be bowled out inside 25 overs but tailenders Own Beynon and Ian Harlting both played stubborn innings as the total slowly built. Owen made 14 from 27 balls before giving Gaurav his fifth wicket but Chucker powered on to his highest score in Thailand by reaching 20 from 24 balls including a delightful dab for four to the third man boundary.
Last man was Russell Ward so while Brian Quinton waited to return to the crease the veteran pair with a combined age of 134 years were scurrying unlikely singles and even ran a three. Gymkhana Club reached a more than useful 141 for 8 before the two teams shared an excellent lunch provided by the local players.
Wickets fell early in the RBSC innings as Sadam was out second ball for 4 and Tong and Ravi both made ducks as Owen took two wickets. Russell was miserly with his leg-spin so Gymkhana Club were on top although Jackson hit two boundaries and Vicky battled hard to support opener Anil. The veterans had done their best but it was left to Gaurav to make a late surge towards victory as he hit six fours in his 42* from 29 balls but Anil was dismissed for 33 by Champ and Asif Noor claimed two late wickets,
RBSC finished on 128 for 9 as Gymkhana Club won by 13 runs and Cricket Captain David Walker was awarded a commemorative plaque in the presentation as the Lanna chairman provided a cap for man of the match Gaurav and a shirt for captain Tong, son of Parn who had spent so much time looking after the cricket grounds of Chiang Mai. Every visiting player received a CMLCC stubby holder.
A fantastic day was had by everbody and Gymkhana Club will soon make another visit to RBSC to play the return fixture on grass.