While the two touring teams were still tucked up in bed, the local sides met in the contest that looked set to decide the destiny of the tournament as it saw the two unbeaten teams going head to head. The Gymkhana side was a strong combination of players from Chiang Mai Cricket Club and the Chiang Mai Warriors and had their hearts set on winning the tournament, while Lanna were desperately trying to give a game to everybody who wanted to play.
It was a complete mis-match as a social team with a change of captain and six new players was soundly beaten by opposition who seemed to be playing in the World Cup final. Left-hander Ubaid set the tone by hitting Tom Salusbury for four consecutive sixes over the match box, into the trees and onto the golf course. Umar played equally well before retiring on 50, and Maki hit five fours in his 24.
The only consolation for Lanna was the fact that Choo had arrived early after getting time off from the bakery where he works and bowled the perfect yorker to dismiss Wani who had complained too many fielders had been on the boundary during the innings.
Gymkhana still managed the highest total of the competition as they scored 171 for 5 in 15 overs but just in case they thought this might not be quite enough, the field was spread and only three boundaries were allowed in the first 14 overs.
Neil Whitehead and John Darling simply couldn’t get the ball away and were tiring rapidly with all the running they were forced to do but Lanna’s stand-in captain Martin Cardno had the last laugh by hitting a six and a four off his first two balls after coming in for the last over.
A total of 77 for 4 in 15 overs spoke volumes of a disappointing contest as Gymkhana were convincing winners by 94 runs and now had the chance of winning their third match to complete a clean sweep of victories to claim the trophy.