Superstars win 2001 Shenanigans Funhill Cup

Superstars Larry Willett and Ian Warwick carded a gross 67, net 61.4 to win the annual Shenanigans Funhill Cup played at Eastern Star on Friday, April 27. These Superstars now have their name engraved on the perpetual Shenanigans Funhill Cup trophy. They also earned trophies and 2000 baht Shenanigans vouchers.

Dream Teamer Ernie Bakke firing at the Men’s Long Drive on #13.

The tournament, as its name denotes, is all about having fun on the golf course, and to be sure, to be sure, fun was had on the day. A field of 128 players turned out for the Pairs Scramble, playing in groups of four, with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. The course was in good shape and some early rain cleared before the start.

Shenanigans landlord Kim Fletcher, apparently tired out from being a character in a Stephen Leather novel, decided to sit out this competition, but his Dream Team teammates didn’t disappoint. Barry Wilkens, who had just hit his 2nd shot over the green on the long, treacherous, full of water par 5, stepped casually off to the right to allow his partner, “Dangerous” Jack Levy, a go at the green, cautioning him to stay right to avoid the water. Dangerous Jack promptly hit his ball at nearly a right angle, nipping his partner in the leg. “He told me to go right,” Jack said in his defense. When Kim asked Barry later how his round was going, Barry was quick to reply, “I just want to get ‘round alive!” Perhaps it was no surprise, then, when the Dream Teamers earned the title of having consumed the most beer on the course.

It is worth mentioning that Dream Teamers Barry and Jack “just missed out” earning a 4th place prize. The other Dream Teamers making up the foursome, Ernie Bakke and Toto, also “just missed out” earning worst team score of the day.

Meanwhile, the Sugar Shack 3 team of Paul Moore and Dave Nance, who got lost on their way back to the prize giving at Shenanigans, eventually turned up to claim the runners-up trophies, plus 2 Carveries and wine for two due their net 63.6.

Shenanigans Funhill Cup 2001 champions Superstars Larry Willett (right) and Ian Warwick (left).

Close behind were third and fourth team places: Lewiinski’s Smokers Steve Mascari and Gez Tracey, who’s net 64 earned them trophies and 2 Carveries for 2; and Dazzlings Darren and John Ottaway, who’s net 64.2 earned them trophies plus Guinness or Kilkenny.

The 500 baht nearest the pin vouchers went to John Ottaway on #4, David Porter on #7, Bill Hewitt on #12, and Mike Philipps on #15.

Straight drives, also worth 500 baht vouchers, went to David Porter on #2 & Ebrahim on #14.

Darren Ottaway won a 500 baht voucher for his long drive on #13, whilst Gay Horan won a 500 baht voucher for her ladies long drive on #7.

Rounding out the 500 baht voucher winners were Brian Wilkinson and Klaus Schackt for sinking the longest first putts on #9 & #18 respectively.

Stan Fry earned one of the most coveted “trophies” at the competition, 45 pints of Carlsberg for landing his tee shot closest to the keg on #3.

“Bad” golf is also well rewarded at Shenanigans. Worst team score was turned in by Steve Brajak & Ian Woo, who, for their efforts, won 2 green fees at Eastern Star plus 2 Irish Coffees.

The other notable event at the prize giving was ‘Lost Cause’ Team member, Brian Wilkinson, missing a flight to Hong Kong in the Lucky Draw, courtesy of Emirates Airlines. Second out was successful Herbie Ishinaga.

Many thanks to Kim Fletcher for holding the tournament and for bringing round plenty of liquid refreshments to all the thirsty golfers on the course. Special thanks also to sponsors Eastern Star, Green Bottle, John’s Lakeside Restaurant, Emirates Airlines, The Haven and Tesco Lotus.

Results

Winning Team: Superstars - Larry Willett & Ian Warwick, gross 67, H’cap 5.6, net 61.4

Runners-up: Sugar Shack 3 - Paul Moore & Dave Nance, gross 72, H’cap 8.4, net 63.6

3rd place: Lewiinski’s Smokers - Steve Mascari & Gez Tracey, gross 68, H’cap 4, net 64.0

4th place: Dazzlings - Darren Ottaway & John Ottaway, gross 67, H’cap 2.8, net 64.2

Near pins: #4 John Ottaway, #7 David Porter, #12 Bill Hewitt, and #15 Mike Philipps

Straight drives: #2 David Porter & #14 Ebrahim

Long drives: Men #13 Darren Ottaway. Ladies #7 Gay Horan

Long putts: #9 Brian Wilkinson & #18 Klaus Schackt

Carlsberg keg: #3 Stan Fry (45 pints)

Worst team score: Steve Brajak & Ian Woo

Cafe Kronborg wins PSC Darts Spring Season

Cafe Kronborg won the PSC Darts Spring Season 2001, making it the third time they have won the shield.

Egon (left) from Cafe Kronborg accepts the PSC Shield from PSC Darts chairman Len Banfield.

Pleasure Dome finished in second place, just being edged out by 1 point.

PSC Members’ Trophies were also awarded for outstanding performances over the season. Klang from Cafe Kronborg earned the men’s trophy for shooting most 180s on the year and for winning the most single’s titles. Chon from Pleasure Dome earned the women’s trophy for shooting 180 and for her outstanding pegging.

Medallions were awarded for men’s highest finish, achieved by Steve from Pleasure Dome (96) and for women’s highest finish, achieved by Jim from Ding Dong Bar (68).

Medallions were also awarded for 180s shot during the season. Klang from Cafe Kronborg led the field with three 180s. Smoggy, Alex, Craig and Chon from Pleasure Dome, Chris from Mick’s Place, Nuch and Ian from Londoner, and Keith from Kennel Dogs all achieved the magical 180 mark.

Mika pops it - Schumi cops it!

There is an old adage in motorsport - To finish first, first you have to finish! Mika Hakkinen understands this very well, as despite being Finnish, the expiry of his McLaren Mercedes on the last lap of the Spanish GP handed first place to Michael Schumacher’s almost as sick Ferrari which did struggle to the finish line. A surprised 2nd was Juan Pablo Montoya in the BMW Williams with Jacques Villeneuve in the BAR Honda 3rd.

Schumacher offers condolences to Hakkinen after the race

The start was dramatic with the Coulthard McLaren’s traction control being so good it wouldn’t leave on the parade lap. After being unglued from the bitumen, Coulthard was forced to start from the rear of the grid, but then Heinz-Harry Frentzen in the Jordan Honda had the same problem when the lights went green resulting in mass confusion in the latter half of the pack.

When the dust settled, Michael Schumacher was comfortably leading from Hakkinen and Barichello in the second Ferrari. Then it was Ralf Schumacher (BMW Williams), Trulli (Jordan Honda), Montoya (after a great start from Grid 12), Villeneuve, Heidfeld (Sauber), and Irvine (Jaguar) while Coulthard was stone motherless last after having to stop for a new nose trying to avoid Frentzen at the start.

On lap 5, after finally getting his Jordan mobile, Frentzen tried jumping on De La Rosa’s Jaguar and both their races were run. The race then became rather processional, with Schumacher’s Ferrari comfortably leading Hakkinen and the others spread out like Brown’s cows. However, Ralf Schumacher brightened things up with a spin into the sand trap on lap 20. Ralf retired with bucket and spade and excuses at the ready.

By lap 30 all drivers had completed the first pit stop, Schumacher leading Hakkinen by 2.3 seconds, Barrichello 9.4 secs further back with Montoya 26 secs behind him. Then it was Villeneuve, Trulli, Heidfeld, Irvine, Raikkonen (Sauber) and Panis (BAR). Coulthard was 11th some 10 secs behind the BAR.

Again it was a high speed parade until Barichello went playing in the sand as well, and broke his new toy on lap 48. However, suddenly there was a change! Schumacher had been in for his last stop and began to slow just as Hakkinen came in for his final re-fuel. When Hakkinen rejoined he was in front of the ailing Ferrari and pulled away at 4 seconds a lap.

Hakkinen then looked secure as Schumacher dropped further astern until the last lap, a few corners from home, when plumes of white smoke meant the end for the McLaren Mercedes, reportedly having clutch failure, with the surprised Schumacher inheriting the lead to score maximum points. Schumacher’s problem was also a fudge job, a “vibration” from the last set of tyres being put forward. Since the Ferrari crew could change a complete set in 8 seconds and Schumacher was 60 seconds in front of Montoya at the time, it would appear rather strange that Jean Todt, the team manager, did not bring him in immediately. However, we will never really know the true reason.

At the press conference afterwards, Schumacher showed a different side to his nature, commiserating with Hakkinen over his loss. He really is human! The Championship standings are now Schumacher 36, Coulthard 28, Barichello 14, Ralf Schumacher 12, Heidfeld 8.

The next round of the Championship is in Austria May 13th.

Pattaya Bush Hash House Harriers

Run #8 Up Down & Around on 12th May

The Challenging Hash! Run Direction - zero your odometer at the intersection of Pattaya Klang and Sukhumvit Rd. Drive south on Sukhumvit Rd for 9.5km and turn left (HHH Sign) into Wat Huay Yai Rd. Drive 10.8km and turn left (HHH Sign) into the dirt road and stay at the A-site.

Sign up at Scandi Bar between 1300 - 1400 or at the A-site. The Scandi Bar is located at Beach Rd between Soi 13 and Soi Post-office. Transport leaves at 1400 from Second Rd, Soi 13.

Old and newcomers are warmly welcomed.

Eric Cantona and the French National Beach Football Team coming to Pattaya

PSC - Promoting sport to support local charity

by PSC Charity chairman Bernie Tuppin

Readers of the Pattaya Mail are familiar with the Pattaya Sports Club; each week they see photos and read accounts of the various sporting activities promoted by the PSC. Golf, bowling, darts, fishing, softball and racquet sports all feature prominently. But what of the PSC’s other activities, supporting local charities?

Each year, many local charities benefit from the generosity of the PSC and its members, who are always willing, where possible, to help deserving causes.

The Naklua Drug Rehab Centre is aided by PSC, who fund the water and electricity costs, vital to the running of the unit. The average annual cost is around 60,000 baht.

This year the Camillian Aids Centre in Ban Chang was supplied with bed linen to the value of 40,000 baht.

Banglamung District School received much needed computer equipment at a cost of 30,000 baht and a similar amount was donated to the Juvenile Detention Centre, where essential furniture was in short supply. Several other local schools were given sports equipment, books and stationery requirement.

PSC also worked with the YWCA to subsidize a school lunch program for needy children. Also in conjunction with the YWCA the PSC is supporting their ‘Happy Families’ project. This scheme aids underprivileged families by subsidizing their children’s education. Each recipient has 1,500 baht deposited in an account controlled by their school and it can only be drawn on for school need; for example, textbooks, stationary, school uniforms, etc. The Pattaya Sports Club has undertaken to support 130 children in this program.

Phala Beach has received playground equipment to the value of 42,000 baht and is well used by the children in that community.

Other organizations that perform much appreciated charity work are assisted by donations from PSC. These include the Jesters with their work on behalf of the Fountain of Life. The El Shadai Group were assisted by our support of the Jack O’Lope Gold Tournament, which is conducted on their behalf. Rotary International were also supported during their Rotary Week in Pattaya, where the focus was on health check-ups for needy children, drug awareness, spectacles for the elderly and environmental clean-ups. Dental check-ups were also made available during their week long fair.

The Lions Club ‘Sight First’ was another very worthy project that received valuable support from the PSC and helped many locals suffering with sight related problems.

Another program receiving much needed support is AIDS Babies Milk Supply. Operating from a small annex of the Ban Chang Community Hospital, a small group of dedicated health workers take care of over 60 babies and young children whose mothers are unable to nurse them because of their infection and cannot afford the alternative milk formula. They also conduct clinics in AIDS awareness, counseling, general hygiene, herbal therapy and medicine both in-house and at local schools and villages.

The Pattaya Sports Club is also proud to be associated with the United Charities of the Eastern seaboard (USEC) and the 50,000 baht that was donated to their annual Christmas gift drive was well received.

This resume of our year’s activities would not be complete without the mention of the PSC’s Charity Golf Classic. An annual event conducted with the generous support of many local business, this year raised over 300,000 baht. The event was held for the sole benefit of the Redemptorist Street Kids Centre, one of the many programs initiated by Father Ray Brennan.

Pattaya Sports Club members can be proud of their efforts on behalf of local charities and the Pattaya community can be proud of the PSC.

Shakey Pete’s in first place

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

Shakey Pete’s moved into first place in the PSC Friday Bowling League after taking all four points from the House of the Golden Coin team. Ooy with Shakey Pete’s led her team with a 489 series, 600 with handicap.

200 games of the day bowled by left to right Jim, Mai, Jah, & Morn (not shown)

Three Sisters moved into second place, alone, after defeating Cafe Kronborg and taking three points. The games were close but good bowling by Mai, Three Sisters, with a 210 game and 523 series made the difference. Jim with Kronborg bowled a 203 game, 508 series, in a losing cause.

Best games and series of the day were bowled by Jah with Winchester Club with games of 212, 218, and 161 for a 591 series, which helped Winchester split with VFW Post 9876 at two points a piece. Morn led the VFW team with a 209 game, 524 series.

Sultans of Swing were led by Tue’s 512 series to take three points from Cafe Ole. Aun enabled Cafe Ole to win one point with her 181 first game, 216 with handicap.

League Standings

Team	Captain	Points	27 Apr
Shakey Pete’s Three Sisters House Of The Golden Coin Cafe Kronborg Winchester Club Sultans Of Swing Cafe Ole VFW Post 9876	La Otto Mio Kran Jon Peter Jeed Morn	28 - 12 27 - 13 24 - 16 22 - 18 17 - 23 16 - 24 16 - 24 11 - 29	4 - 0 3 - 1 0 - 4 1 - 3 2 - 2 3 - 1 1 - 3 2 - 2

Herb brags for 2 weeks

PSC Three Sister’s Golf

On Monday the 23rd, the Three Sister’s group of golfers met at Siam for their usual Monday golfing session. With 5 groups of golfers, the competition was stiff and scores were close.

Bill Thompson again was one stroke off the winner’s circle - this made it three weeks in a row that Bill played excellent golf off of his low handicap but just couldn’t get a hold of the top spot.

Herb Ishinaga again won the bragging rights with 40 points making it two weeks in a row. Bill Thompson and Izzy Freedman both came in with 39 points with Izzy winning second position on count back.

Close behind chasing the front runners were John Moore, Jerry Lien, and Lars with 38 points each. Paul Kraft was right back of them with 37points. The competition was stiff. Three Sisters had others at 36 and 35 points, but Fast Eddie and Jim Tully just didn’t cut it for the day and held up the bottom of the pile.

After bragging a bit for the day and having a few drinks it was announced that Monday will be the next gathering at Siam and Bill Thompson won’t have to worry about coming in second as he is leaving for work.

The Bunker 4 Man Scramble

The Bunker, in association with the International Pattaya Golf Club (I.P.G.C.), will be presenting the venue’s first “major”, The Bunker 4 Man Scramble on Friday 25th May 2001 on the Mountain & Ocean courses at Phoenix Golf Club.

The format will be 4 person teams, with a 105 total handicap allowance. Maximum handicap for both men and ladies is 28.

The entry fee of 1000 baht per player includes trophies for winning, 2nd & 3rd place teams, 4 near pins, long drives in 1st, 2nd, 3rd & ladies divisions, green fee, caddy fee, buffet and prize-giving at Phoenix. Sign up by entry form available from The Bunker, The Haven, Lewiinski’s, Shenanigans, Scandic Hotel, and the Diana Driving Range.

Entry forms with entry fee should be given to Roy Mitchell at The Bunker. Registration at Phoenix Golf Club from 8.30 - 9.30 a.m. on the day. The first tee time will be at 10 a.m.

R&A and USGA Rules will apply, plus the Competition Local Rules. Handicaps will be accepted from IPGC, PSC, Bangkok Golf Groups affiliated with the USGA or R&A, or any official USGA or R&A handicap. All non-IPGC golfers will be required to show proof of current handicap with entry or at registration.

Please note: Book golf carts direct with Phoenix.

Kevin Fortt wins 1st Rising Sun Getaway Cup

Rising Sun golf

The Rising Sun golfers left the water throwing festivities of Pattaya behind and went to Chiang Mai for the Rising Sun Annual Getaway Cup.

Playing Royal Chiang Mai on the 1st day in pristine condition gave everyone the opportunity to score well. The winner was Kevin Fortt with 39 points, who put his win down to being inspired by P.M. Thaksin, who was also present on the course.

Second day was off to Chiang Mai Lamphun G.C. The course was exceptionally difficult and with the previous night’s beverages seeping out of every pore, scoring did not come easy. The winner was Paul (Sinatra) Sibley with 30 points. Asked how he managed to score so well on a hard course he said, “I did it my way.”

The third day was at Lanna Golf Club, a beautiful, mature golf course (yeah lots of trees) which proved to be very challenging. Winning on count back was Dave (fat) Hughes with 39 pts.

Jiss Montgomerie scored 41 points but this was off 28 h/cap, he had had a handicap memory lapse and forgot he actually plays off 18. Nice try Monty!

Fourth and last day was at Chiang Mai Green Valley, a great course with wide fairways (well at least 2). The winner with 34 points was Mario (Omar) Sambucci.

Overall winner of the 1st Rising Sun Getaway Cup was Kevin Fortt with an average of 36 points.

Another notable on the tour was Micky (loads of yoghurt) Mitchell who put his inconsistency down to showing off his 3/4 swing in the hotel and bars instead of on the golf course.

Dige and Ewin top the list of good scores

IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven

Monday 23rd April - Century Ban Chan (Bogey)

1st: Michael Dige, 1 up
2nd: Markku Kallio, all square cb9 +2, cb6 +2, cb3 +1
3rd: Jimmy Little, all square cb9 +2, cb6 +2, cb3 A/S

Michael Dige, playing off a 5 handicap, finished 1 up on the course to earn top spot on the podium in the TAGGS bogey competition at Century Ban Chang on Monday, April 23. This is the second Monday trophy that Michael has won; maybe he gets some extra rest at weekends.

Markku Kallio, playing off 15, finished all square to earn second place in a lengthy count back over Jimmy Little. TAGGS welcomes back Jimbo Bob, protector of the faith, who was said to have been resting (is that what they call it?), and it seems to have done him some good.

TAGGS also extends welcomes to Markku Kallio and Brian Lewis.

Wednesday 25th April - Eastern Star (Stableford)

1st: Lol Ewin, 46 pts.
2nd: Banjob Franklin, 44
3rd: Stephen Beard, 39
4th: Mike Dabanovich, 38, cb9 19
5th: Klaus Schackt, 38, cb9 18, cb6 12
6th: Herb Schwieterman, 38, cb9 18, cb6 11

Lol Ewin amassed a massive 46 Stableford points to win the TAGGS Wednesday competition at Easter Star. Well done Lol, who scored 76 gross off his 14 handicap.

Banjob Franklin also had a great day, shooting a gross 94 off her 30 handicap to earn 44 points and a second place finish. Welcome back to Banjob. Welcome back also to Norman Brooks, Paul Hartley, Michael Vogeler, Derek Reaper, and Stefan Hoge.

IPGC chairman Stephen Beard again shot well enough to win, but had to settle for third place on a day that saw many good scores, as the tees were set far forward. Stephen carded 39 points off his 17 handicap.

TAGGS said goodbye and thanks to Herb, who donated 2 free green fees as extra prizes. Herb is returning to America for a well earned holiday.

Fun Day at Treasure Hills

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the Bunker

On Tuesday, 23rd April, a small band of Bunker Boys travelled north to the ever testing and ever beautiful Treasure Hills course for a three-man better ball competition.

A brutally hot day saw Paul Butler, Jon Wood and Mr. Loy come second with a score of 137 net, a few shots behind the international team of Michael Dige, Anders Karlsson and Alan Sullivan, winners with 134 net.

Nearest-the-pin awards went to Pekka, Remy, Michael and Wilf Latham.

The eagerly awaited Bunker Banana Booby went to Eric Antonnen for his gallant effort at the fourteenth where he managed to take 14 shots. In the Bunker press conference afterwards he answered the question, “How did you take fourteen shots?” with the riposte, “I one putted!” Nice one Eric.

The Bunker also is saying a temporary goodbye to Bert “Remy” Guy, for whom this was his swansong, as he returns to work in Belgium next week for five months. You’ll be missed Remy... by some of the golfers as well!

Strong squads reflect increased status of Pattaya 10s Rugby Tournament

Saturday 14th April saw the 2nd annual Pattaya International Rugby 10s competition kick off beneath clear skies and blazing sunshine.

Expectation was high following the runaway success of last year’s tournament, and local side Pattaya Panthers R.F.C. were keen to defend their title. This was going to be a tall order, however, as in the 12 short months since its inception, the competition had attracted a number of teams capable of playing 10s rugby at the very highest level. Anticipation had been fuelled through the previous week by sightings of groups of athletes in training at various locations around Pattaya.

Catch me if you can - the DEA from Hong Kong (left) are catching up with the East Coast Baa Baas.

Surrey Pirates, a talented UK Services side formed for this event, had arrived the previous Sunday. They spent their week acclimatising and putting final touches to set piece moves. Letchworth R.F.C., from Hertfordshire in England, arrived on Wednesday for more traditional training. Letchworth had played in the inaugural competition last year and it was immediately apparent that some of them hadn’t been home since.

The Sri Lankan Army team were here, favourites of many a rugby supporter for the style of game they play, and fancied for this year’s title. The Vandals and D.E.A. from Hong Kong arrived, both confessing to having stronger teams than they brought for last year’s event. Les Pilliers struggled across from Cambodia, obviously by land, and very bumpy land at that given the number who showed up.

Now it’s the DEA getting away from the Baa Baas - breaking into the clear down the sidelines.

The British Club from Bangkok led the charge from the capital, bravely battling through Songkran festivities to get here. Bangkok Corsaires were represented by a development side from Surin, who promised to be very exciting to watch. Local interest was vested in our own Pattaya Panthers and the East Coast Baa Baas.

Surrey Pirates make a break through the Bangkok Corsaires line.

The pre tournament briefing and explanation of tournament rules was held in Shenanigan’s on the evening of Friday the 13th, with all sides well represented. Shenanigans sponsor the Pattaya rugby sides and a look inside their door on Friday night would have revealed one of the benefits of doing so. Shenanigans, Foster Wheeler, Contract Resources, McConnell Dowell, Thainox, Dusit Resorts, and Santa Fe / Global Silverhawk sponsored the event. They, together with tournament organiser David Garred and his committee can be very pleased with the ability of the sides that assembled for this year’s contest.

Early play on Saturday was of a very high standard, with defence probably the outstanding element. Of the local teams, the Band Baa Baas had a discouraging start, losing to the nine-manned All Stars (who looked anything but!) with Captain Crotch leading from the front and receiving a shiner for his trouble!

Letchworth couldn’t quite make it around the end of the British Club from Bangkok.

The day was to continue in similar vein for the Baas, their Welsh ringers playing like a colliery band - lots of huffing and puffing but little more than hot air resulting (they would come into their own later) - but individually there were highlights - the blond exocet that is Hilton proving the most devastating tackler in any team and Jimmy Howard putting on a clinic for the modern prop, perpetually popping up on the wing.

With William doubling for the Prodigy’s Keith, there were also notable efforts by new recruits Phil Dunn and Simon from ‘Boro taking a break from their modelling assignments.

The All Stars fared rather better except when Dave Garred, whose tourney organization had been phenomenal, showed that on the pitch it was a whole different brewery as the only defeated All Star skipper.

The Panthers had a frustrating day. Having played all the rugby against a well-organised British Club they lost to a last minute drop-penalty from their erstwhile hero Silver Shadow Phil (3-0), and even worse to a last-second Letchworth try (5-0) after monumental defence from both teams had apparently produced a stalemate.

Panthers, resplendent in their pink trench coats, practise their ‘chrome-polling”.

In the Panthers final match, the Sri Lankan Army put on a show that even this correspondent, frozen at full back while five passes whizzed around my ears, could applaudingly appreciate. With Surrey Pirates they were clear co-favourites, though Letchworth were looming as a dark (shire) horse, and the teams retired for evening fun and games (or as Crotch was quoted, “Now the real tournament begins...”).

Sunday morning was a low point for the hosts; injuries and other reasons meaning only eight of the Panthers were available for the final pool game against the Vandals. Embarrassment and the last night’s excesses led to defeat and set up a game that neutrals demanded as the Bowl Final - Panthers vs. Baa Baas.

But before this “highpoint”, there were more serious matters to tend to: the Cup and Plate semi-finals. The Corsaires (Surin branch) again produced some wonderful running, though the Southerners, late the first day, had disappeared for Day 2.

DEA also produced some Bennett-like sidestepping and the Vandals tried to blind opponents with their shirts, but the finals line-ups were Plate: Letchworth vs British Club, and Cup: Surrey Pirates vs Sri Lankan Army - the Big One.

The Bowl Final had some sparks before kick-off, the underdog Baa Baas the crowd favourites. Strangely Moose fluffed the kick-off and cunningly the cool-headed Panthers took advantage of this, Hays making a battering incursion, and then Big Galoot Paul first tiptoeing then flopping over the tryline for the opening score.

Predictably Wai missed the kick, but the game was won by defence, some encouraging busts by the Gaul and Crotch snuffed out by the clam-like Clim and the marauding Holt, assisted by the stifling Southgate and Hiro.

Further scores followed but the biggest cheer went up for the Baa Baas inevitable try by the shockingly red-headed Ghurkha, J. Jim, the euphoria of the crowd sportingly spreading to the victorious Panthers as Wai finished off a wonderful break by the strong-running Gump. Final score - 22-7.

The Plate Final was a hard fought contest with Letchworth just about in control. With the BC defenders bravely committed to the tackle, the behemoth herd of Letch forwards and their nimble Thai backs could have been beaten but for the promptings of Gordon (a sometime Corsaire) who controlled things beautifully from centre, springing team-mates with cut-out passes before romping in for a fine solo score, sleight of hand capped by acceleration to leave a guest BC back, who reportedly is “quick”, trailing. A deserved 26-7 victory for Letchworth.

The Cup final was a high class end to a super weekend’s action, the silky running of the Lankans contrasting with the grit and pragmatism of the Surrey side. But the guys in red could run too, and the Pirates sweeper (no.22) produced two wonderfully sinuous breaks to put them on top at half-time (14-0).

As expected and hoped for by their Vandal cheerleaders the Lankans came roaring back, their trademark handling and devastating running producing a super score and the game looked to be tilting. Showing the class of champions however, the Pirates redoubled their efforts and nailed the clinching try to take a deserved 19-7 victory.

At the presentation ceremony the camaraderie so special to rugby was in full evidence, with a heartfelt cheer for the organising committee producing warm smiles reciprocated by the whole crowd, spectators and players alike. So a wonderfully successful tournament featuring ever higher levels of play, number of teams and spectators - the Pattaya tens go from strength to strength. Now if we can just get one Pattaya team into the Cup Final again, better yet two!

Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]

Updated by Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]