SPORTS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Barnes and Quinn steal the show at Jomtien Beach

All go for the 2nd Raimon Land - Ocean Marina Regatta

Aussies Rule

Julian Dispatches the Medal Field

Sports Quiz

The Beautiful Game?

Brian makes winning comeback at Bangpra

Don and Dave share the spoils at Burapha

Too close to call at Bangpra

A ‘Black Country’ win at Bangpra

Yes, we have no Bananas?

19th Chiang Mai Cricket Sixes: The juniors score the highest

Champion Nut claims the title

Pattaya All Thailand Table Tennis Championship 2006

King Power keeps Gold Cup

The Square Ring

PATTAPA SPORTS ROUND-UP

Barnes and Quinn steal the show at Jomtien Beach

(Turn to page 59 for a full report onThe World Foot Volley League 2006)

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Long standing fans of English Premiership football will have been delighted last week to witness the appearance of ex-England and Ireland internationals John Barnes and Niall Quinn at the UBC World Foot Volley League on Jomtien Beach.

The tournament took place over four days from 12 - 15 April, and one day prior to the kick off, the ex-Liverpool and Arsenal stars took time out to conduct an impromptu soccer skills clinic for 30 local school children. The kids, the majority of whom were probably too young to remember John Barnes and Niall Quinn in their prime were none-the-less in their element and thoroughly enjoyed the coaching sessions.
Barnes was complimentary about the interest in soccer in the kingdom and was heard to comment: “Me and Niall feel impressed with the many Thai fans who have turned out to watch.”
He also said after watching the Thai youth play football, that they played just as well as youths around the world but lacked the opportunities to improve their skills, unlike kids in Europe who have good development systems.
Thailand entered five teams in the foot volley competition and manager Praut Kamlangaek was confident of success - no doubt bolstered by thoughts that foot volley shares many similarities with the Thai national pastime, Sepak takraw
As things transpired however, it was the tournament favourites from Brazil, Marcelo Freire De Lima and Odilon De Carvalho Supra who proved too strong for their opponents and the Division One final at the Jomtien multi-purpose arena saw them defeat the talented Spanish team 2-0 (18-9, 19-17)
In the Division Two final, the Dutch team overcame the Americans in a closely contested match, the final score being 2-1, (18-14, 16-18, 15-13). Pattaya Deputy Mayor, Mr. Wuttisak Rermkijakarn presented a 1st prize of 30,000 baht and a huge trophy to the Brazilian team and awards were given to all the finalists. Consolation for the Thai teams came in the form of a special award to Thanee Ruongsre of Thailand A, who was declared the most spectacular player in the tournament.
All in all, the World Foot Volley League proved to be a major hit with both the Thai fans and visiting tourists and credit for this must go in no small part to the organizers and to those veteran athletes from the British Isles, John Barnes and Niall Quinn who added a little bit of stardust to the whole event.
As a way of expressing gratitude for the Thai hospitality they enjoyed throughout the week, the two, together with compatriot Nick, played in a VIP challenge match prior to the final. And as if to prove the old adage that form is temporary but class is permanent, Niall and John’s team beat the Thai ‘All Stars’ 18-10. Pattaya will be very happy to welcome them back for next year’s tournament.

John Barnes, front-left and Niall Quinn, front-right celebrate with all the competing teams at the World Foot Volley League, Jomtien Beach, April 15.

The victorious Brazilian team of Marcelo Freire De Lima and Odilon De Carvalho Supra

A Thai youngster shows off his ball skills to an admiring Niall Quinn


All go for the 2nd Raimon Land - Ocean Marina Regatta

By Peter Cummins, Pattaya Mail
The Second Top of the Gulf Regatta is almost upon us. Scheduled over the week of 3 - 7 May, it will be, undoubtedly, the biggest - and probably the best yacht-racing event ever held in the Kingdom.
Buoyed up by last year’s successful inaugural regatta week, this year will again be jointly sponsored by Raimon Land and the Ocean Marina Yacht Club which will be the host club, as well as the site for the First Pattaya Boat Show - Premier Living, which will be held at the Marina from 29 April until the third of May.
According to the principal organizer, William J. Gasson, up to 200 craft could be facing the starter’s signals, with all starts clearly visible from the Ocean Marina foreshore. Many entries in the six or more classes expected to participate, are coming from all over the Kingdom, as well as Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.
With incorporation of the Thailand Optimist National Championships, there could be upwards of 80 juniors (under-16-year-olds) competing and, with the annual Princess Cup, supported by Princess Galyani, also being raced concurrently, Gary Baguley has mustered almost 20 Platus, stored at the Ocean Marina. This agile, challenging 8-metre keelboat was designed specifically for Thai waters by arguably the world’s best naval architect, Bruce Farr. In case you were interested, the Platu itself is a native mackerel-type fish that predominantly inhabits the waters of the Western Gulf.
But it is probably the junior sailors who are proving to be the most active and, promising in all the fleets. Under the able direction of Dave Littlejohn and Royal Varuna manager Khun James, there have been successive training/sailing camps for upwards of 100 children at Royal Varuna during the past few weeks, with the children coming from a number of the international and French schools, here in Thailand and also in Cambodia.
Some of the other classes will include keelboats, ocean-going and beach-launched catamarans, Lasers and a variety of mono-hulls.
The Pattaya Mail, the Pattaya Blatt and Pattaya Mail on TV are also co-sponsoring this year’s regatta and the Mail will be featuring a special supplement, to be published on 28 April. 2006.

Ocean cruisers, multi-hulls and Platus are available from Gulf Charters (www.gulfchartersthailand.com); and the Yacht Pro Company (www.sailingatpattaya.com).
Lasers and beach-launched catamarans are available from the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (tel. 038306290; fax. 038250115; e-mail. [email protected]).
For further information about the racing and social programmes, contact David Bell (e-mail [email protected]; tel. +66 2 255 7890-2

The specially designed Platus will be competing for the Coronation Cup.

The Optimists are expected to form the largest fleet of all the classes of craft at this year’s TOTG Regatta.

(Above and below) Thrills and spills abound - racing with the Lasers


Aussies Rule

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday April 10,
Mountain Shadow,

2 Person Scramble - Stableford
1st Rick Holmes & Tim Williams, 46 points
2nd Al Rolnik & Randy Haupt, 43 points c/b 23
3rd Trevor Schirmer & B. J. Smith, 43 points c/b 21
4th Tony Barritt & Glynn Nicholas, 40
Mountain Shadow was not able to exact its usual punishment in a format that lent itself to higher than normal scoring on one of the toughest courses in the area, and with the greens playing fast and true and the chance to rectify a wayward first time effort, the scores were all very creditable considering all teams had to use at least seven tee shots from each member.
The pairing of Rick Holmes and Tim Williams proved to be too strong on the day and ran out easy winners scoring an even 23 points on both nines and return a gross 3 over to win by three strokes.
Al Rolnik and Randy Haupt took second place with a strong finish over the back nine of 23 points to just squeeze out Trevor Schirmer and B.J. Smith on count back as the latter pair only managed 21 on the back after a strong start.
Tony Barritt and Glynn Nicholas continued to show great promise in fourth place with a very steady 20/20 round, which was enough to tie up the last placing.
The twos competition was suspended for the day due to the format.
Wednesday April 12,
Treasure Hill, Stableford
1st Trevor Schirmer, 37 points
2nd B.J. Smith, 32 points
3rd Dik Lenten, 30 points c/b 19
4th Mark Cooper, 30 points c/b 18
Although the trip up the 331 takes a little longer than to most of the other courses that are generally played, it is well worth the effort with both Noble place and Treasure Hill currently in such great condition, and at the prices on offer, the value cannot be bettered by any other course in the area. Wednesday proved no exception with The Haven’s visit to Treasure Hill, the greens were fast and true with the fairways in tip top condition, and in the fairway the ball just sits up waiting to be struck into the green.
Trevor Schirmer continued with his fine run of form to take the day’s honours by five shots. The margin should have been even greater as he missed another thirteen birdie putts which would have seen him at level par if they had all dropped. But as my old mum used to say ‘if your Auntie Mabel had cahonies, she would be your uncle’, which wasn’t the case in the event. But what ‘could have been’ will be the stuff of legend to be retold time again deep into the night, to the attentive beer bar acolytes in the region for years to come.
B.J. also had another result and although the end score was not so impressive, he still managed to secure second place by a couple of shots, which could have been a lot better if he had not insisted, against it must be said his caddy’s advice, on reading the greens himself.
Dik Lenten took third place ahead of a very tired Mark Cooper who had played 54 holes the day before and showed the effects of a misspent night in preparation for the days trials.
This week’s report has been prepared by the head lunatic, he having been left in charge due to the usual scribe, Brian Kelly, preparing for a heart operation from which we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Due to the early press date this week, Friday’s competition will be added to next weeks Pattaya Mail report.


Julian Dispatches the Medal Field

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday April 9,
Green Valley - White Tees, Monthly Medal

A Flight
1st Julian Clarke, net 63 - Monthly Medal Winner
2nd Jim Wickstrom, net 72
3rd Brian Holden, net 73
B Flight
1st Mark Bonner, net 69
2nd Ray Dell, net 69
3rd Jan Eriksen, net 70
C Flight
1st Ian Grout, net 68
2nd Joop Medze, net 68
3rd Mike Shrosbree, net 69
D Flight
1st Marlene Prudden, net 76
2nd Jez Lees, net 76
3rd Dave Schelling, net 78
NP’s: #2 Ian Halfpenny, #9 James Nolan, #12 Steve Mascari, #16 George Jackson
2’s: Julian Clarke, Steve Mascari, Gary Blackburne, Dave Tanner, Nick Payne, James Nolan, Ian Halfpenny, George Jackson
Julian Clarke won with an even-to-SS 38 points last week, but even that had been a bit of an aberration, given his foul play that saw his handicap go up to 8. Ya can’t fault the guy, he hit the range every day and clearly worked it out as his medalist gross 71 and Monthly Medal winning net 63 (by five strokes) would bear witness. The Dispatch Rider’s net 63 was one off the all time Monthly Medal low of 62 held by the near legends Spot the Dog and Bruce the Mulligan. Last month’s winner, Dudley Dooright was second with a level to handicap net 72, with the Demon Deacon counting back Wacko. No report on the latter’s reaction.
B flight’s Ian Grout and Joop Medze were the proud owners of those second best on the day 68’s, with Ian being the prouder as his distribution gave him the top step in the second flight. Mike Shrosbree Esq. could due no better that B Flight bronze despite a lovely net 69 effort.
The penultimate flight’s Mark Bonner and Ray Dell picked up where B Flight left off as their joint 69’s were one clear of The Quiet One’s 70. Mark “I got a” Bonner had the better of the “Farmer in the” Dell on count back.
There must have been an agreement in D Flight to jointly take the day off. Albeit the winner, the ravishing Ms. Marlene, was the toast of the bar, as she edged the Principal on count back. Dave Schelling swept up the last schillings with his count back bronze over Charlie Sheppard.
Tuesday April 11,
Khao Kheow A & B - Yellow or White Tees, Stroke/Medal
A Flight Yellow
1st Troy Misiak, net 71
2nd Andy Leach, net 71
3rd Gary Blackburne, net 72
B Flight Yellow
1st Joop Medze, net 71
2nd Nat Heitmann, net 71
3rd Lek Gramatke, net 74
A Flight White
1st Mike Craighead, net 74
Near Pin: Yellows: #A3 Per Aschan, #B8 Ralf Heitmann
2’s: Yellows: Troy Misiak, Bobby Driggs, Dave Tanner, Loz Shaw, Mick O’Connor
Off to the fantastic Dye layout at Khao Kheow, the difficulty of which plagues the Society as a couple of our senior players, effective at all other venues, prefer a day on the Whites. This always presents a bit of a problem as the scant numbers make for a small purse. You could hear no complaints from The Mechanic, however, as he took K4’s money.
Misiak of Troy (no relation to Helen) used a slightly more forgiving handicap and a strong finish to count back Andy Leach, the day’s medalist with a gross 76 off the Yellows. Nice Guy Gary filled out the premier flight with a solid 78/72 offering.
Joop Medze, now a common utterance in these columns, held back a charming duet of gals in the B Flight off the Yellow/Whites tees. Nat (not the Nat[ural]) Heitmann lost a count back to Joop but was joined by her sister-in-arms, Lek Gramatke to make the podium a better looking one than in recent memory.
Wednesday April 12,
The Emerald - White Tees,
Two Person Better
Ball Stroke/Medal
1st John Emmerson & Andy Leach, 44 points
2nd Gary Blackburne & Dave Boran, 42 points
2’s: Kaesavane/Schackt, Sharp/Schelling
A modest field of twenty took on the under-repair Emerald course. The course is to be applauded for biting the bullet and taking out all the old native grass with an eye to planting an internationally recognized hybrid. With gracious lift-clean-and-place rules in effect, courtesy of the Golf Manager, the intrepid group set out. That was the last gratuitous thing the GM did as he, teamed with the big hitting former cricketer, took the top spot on the day. The Nice Guy and his good mate Dave Boran showed they had the right chemistry for second place.
Friday April 14,
Crystal Bay B & C - White Tees,
Stableford
A Flight
1st Colin Davis, 39 points
2nd John Emmerson, 37 points
3rd Mark Bonner, 37 points
B Flight
1st Joop Medze, 43 points
2nd Peter Barathy, 42 points
3rd Mike Craighead, 38 points
Near Pin: #C4 Mike Craighead
2’s: Colin Davis, Peter Hynard, Brian Wilkinson, Charles Sheppard
You have to love Thailand. A lost reservation provided the Society with only seven contiguous tee times and two additional slots separated by an hour and a half. Repeated checking with the capable Crystal Bay staff garnered no relief. A big field suggested that the only answer was five balls. However, a day of the competition phone call evidenced that five balls were not allowed on holidays (Friday was part of the national observance of Songkran). Rather than this spelling disaster it resulted in ten contiguous tees times at the original start time. Go Figure. Amazing Thailand.
Once the administrative dust had cleared, it was the Joopster with his third podium spot on the week (two firsts and a second, and that due to a losing count back). That would have guaranteed him the title but for the Monthly Medal rule. Joop’s 43 points made Peter Barathy a hard luck second with 42 points. The Mechanic, in his element off the Whites, took third with a solid 38 points.
And who should be standing (on all fours) atop the A flight podium but The Donkey! Oh no! His commendable 39 points was two clear of the balance of the top flight. The GM edged “I got a” on count back, but wouldn’t you expect it, he’s the boss.


Sports Quiz

Congratulations to Steve Johnson who was the winner of our last quiz. Thank you to all who tried and better luck next time. In case you were wondering about the answers, here they are:
1) Who won the Aussie Rules Grand Final in 2000?
Answer: Essendon
2) Which two drivers drove for the McLaren Formula One team last year?
Answer: Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya
3) Which country won the 2005 Elephant Polo World Championship?
Answer: Scotland
This weeks Questions are:
1) In football, who has got more caps for England than anyone else?
2) Which country won the men’s Basketball World Championships in 2002?
3) Who has the longest football managerial reign in the history of English football with one club?


The Beautiful Game?: Bergkamp sets up thrilling finale

Riz Taylor
A Highbury stadium awash not with the traditional red but with the orange of Holland greeted Arsenal onto the pitch last Saturday in a tribute to Dennis Bergkamp, the silky, non-flying Dutchman who has spearheaded the Gunners’ success over the last decade.
Alexander Hleb opened the scoring for Arsenal just before half-time with a clinically taken goal, but Nigel Quashie managed to capitalise on an Emmanuel Eboue mistake to level for visitors West Bromwich Albion after 72 minutes. With both the game and Arsenal’s Premiership season in the balance, how fitting it should be for Bergkamp to celebrate the day by coming on to set up Robert Pires for a goal and then finish the Baggies off with a curling strike.
His manager Arsene Wenger said: “He never loses the class and after 10 fantastic years he proves that he can still play. It would have been sad not to have brought him on and I felt we were looking for his quality to create the opportunities we needed at the end. We showed a great reaction at 1-1 and I’m pleased with the chances we made.”
Chances are what Arsenal will need to create over the coming week as their season will be determined over two games. First up are Spurs at Highbury, and for the first time in years the stakes are unbelievably high in the North London derby. Tottenham’s season of resurgence sees them on the verge of a Champions League place, but with the Gunners breathing down their necks tomorrow’s match will be the ultimate test for a young, resurgent Spurs side.
Even if the Lilywhites do manage to scrape the points and cement fourth place in the Premiership, Arsenal will still have the chance to spoil their claims for a Champions League place. Unlike this season when UEFA allowed Liverpool to defend their title and fourth-placed Everton to also play in the competition, the rules have been amended and next year no country will be allowed to field more than four teams.
Again there are two arch-rivals battling over the coveted fourth position, but this time around Arsenal’s victory in the European Cup will spell disaster for Spurs fans, even though those same supporters would have gleefully taken the prospect of UEFA cup football at the beginning of this season.
Villarreal is a town of under 50,000 people in between Barcelona and Valencia on Spain’s Costa Blanca, but it’s the ‘Yellow Submarines’ that stand between the Gunners and a historical place in the final of Europe’s premier competition on Wednesday night (early Thursday Pattaya). There are just two hotels in the town and under a dozen taxis, but the club funded by ceramics millionaire Fernando Roig stand on the verge of one of football’s most unbelievable stories.
If Arsenal manage to overcome the Spaniards in the week they will meet either AC Milan or Barcelona in Paris next month for the final. It’s a short hop across the channel for Dennis Bergkamp either by ferry or train, and where on earth could provide the setting for a more romantic conclusion to his final season in the Arsenal shirt? But first up come Tottenham tomorrow, and should the Gunners fail to win both this game and the Champions League it could spell the unthinkable - Champions League football at White Hart Lane next year but not at Arsenal. To say it’s a big week for Wenger and his men would be a massive understatement.
Blades are back
It’s been 12 long years, but Sheffield United have finally found their way back into the Premiership after nearest challengers Leeds United could only manage a draw with champions Reading on Saturday.
Though promotion always looked on the cards this year, mathematical certainty came as a relief to Blades manager Neil Warnock, who now finds himself in a position to recount the bleaker times at Bramall Lane.
“I look back to when I started and I never thought in my wildest dreams we could ever get to the Premier League. We were so much in debt, clearing dog muck off the training ground before we started training, no academy, no policies, no forward thoughts.
“Now, if I were you, I’d buy some shares tomorrow because it’s one of the most progressive clubs - if not the most progressive club - in England at the moment. When you look at the clubs below us with their wage bill and things, I don’t think people realise what a fantastic achievement it is. There’s a lot of big-name clubs below us who would absolutely die to swap places with us and we’ve earned our right to be up there.”
Accrington Stanley? Who are they?
Another story of promotion success now, but at an altogether different level of football. Accrington Stanley, one of the founding members of the football league, have spent 44 years in the abyss after resigning from the League due to financial difficulties in 1962. They carried on life in the depths of non-league football, but next year will see a return as they were promoted to League Two last weekend.
The club were ridiculed in the 1980’s in a milk advert featuring Ian Rush. The Liverpool legend tells a young boy that if he doesn’t drink his milk he’d only ever be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley. “Who are they?” replies the boy’s friend. “Exactly,” says the boy, guzzling his milk.
But the jokes are on ice as the club have battled through the divisions and were promoted over the weekend from the Conference into the Football League proper.
Supporters’ club spokesman Steve Baker said: “Promotion to the Football League is everything we have worked for since the supporters club was formed in 1968. There is a lot of affection for the club worldwide. Perhaps we are seen as the plucky underdog.
“But we do not have strong local support. We do not have big attendances, certainly not when you consider what we have achieved in the last seven years. I think there has been a degree of scepticism in Accrington - people do remember 1962 and are still hurt by it. But now we are back in the league, I believe local membership will increase dramatically.”
The answer to last week’s question - if you remember I asked which outfield player became the first to appear at 40 years old in the Premiership before Teddy Sheringham - was Celtic manager Gordon Strachan. See you next week.


Brian makes winning comeback at Bangpra

PSC golf from The Bunker

Monday, April 10, Bangpra - Stableford
Monday’s outing saw the ‘Bunker Boy’s’ play a Stableford competition at Bang Pra International Golf Club. Even in the searing heat there were some very good scores returned with 41 points winning both the A and B Flights.
In the A Flight, with the cut at 16 and under, Geordie Hudson and Mitch Malone tied for third place with 35 points; PJ Redmond was second with 37 points and Scotsman Donald Hendry grabbed first place with 41 points.
In the B Flight, Swede Hakan Widestedt was third with 38 points; Irishman Frank Kelly was second with 40 points but they couldn’t stop Brian Wilkins, returning to the golfing fold after a long absence, from winning with 41 points.
Mitch Malone and Frank Kelly both received a near pin prize with Geordie Hudson nabbing the other two.
Wednesday, April 12, Phoenix Golf and Country Club - Medal
On another scorching hot day, Phoenix was chosen as the venue for a Medal competition. The cut was again 16 and under and we had a tie in the A Flight between Charlie (I’m gonna stop playing golf because I’m useless) Gooch and scratch golfer Keith Smithson; both sharing the spoils with one over par 73’s with Dave Harvey claiming third with a net 74.
In the B Flight, Steve Davies was third with net 74 and Richard Baldotto wiped the smile off Mick Ramshaw’s face, who had visions of grandeur when he put his card in finishing with a three under par net 69 only to see Richard better that by three strokes to take the honours with a fabulous net 66.
The near pin prizes were shared around: Steve Davies, Bruce Lawrence, Keith Smithson and Charlie Gooch all winning.
Friday, April 14, Treasure Hill - Stableford
The final outing of the week took us to Treasure Hill for a Stableford competition. In the B Flight Richard Baldotto continued his good form by winning with 36 points, ahead of Mick Ramshaw on 32 points. The A flight didn’t do quite so well, Dave Harvey finishing runner-up to Bob Pearce who scored 27 and 31 points respectively.
Near pins were won by Brian Bellis, Geoff Parker, Steve Davies and Mick Ramshaw.


Don and Dave share the spoils at Burapha

PSC golf from Tropical Berts

Tuesday April 11, Burapha, Stableford
After an early morning visit to the Immigration Office, I finally caught up with the troupe of golfers from Bert’s and off we went to Burapha. Of course, on arriving there we had the normal chaos, but I must say that the staff here are most helpful and before too long we were all milling around the first tee. That is when I pulled seniority and told them I was in charge and would go first off the white tees. The bruises will go away soon.
So off I went, first of 9 groups, on a hot day, on a course that was in fine condition. The fairways were grassed, if a little firm, the greens were firm and tricky, and the rough was deep and very hard to get out of. A fine course and A & B has always been most people’s favourite.
After a hot day on the course, there is nothing like a cold shower, unless it is sitting in the restaurant and sinking the first cold one of the day. So, whilst sitting there and enjoying the atmosphere, it was no surprise to see some good scores come in; and if you did not score 38 points you were not in the shake up.
So to the results, and Tim announced the winner of the A Flight as Donald Hendry, with Bob Pearce in second and Vincent Smyth in third.
In the B Div, the winner was David Swaine with Bob Short in second and Mike Wing in third on count back over Derek George. With the presentation out of the way, we could then get back to the serious business of sinking some more cold ones.
T.T.F.N.
Near Pin: Donald Hendry (2), Derek Brook, Don MacPherson, Jim Tannian, Mike Halpin and Brendan Devlin
Long Put: Bob Pearce, Vincent Smyth, Maurice Kelly, Dick Warberg, Keith Avery, Fred Duffy and Derek George


Too close to call at Bangpra

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

Tuesday, April 11, the Pattaya Golf Society from the OK Corral had the immense pleasure of revisiting the beautiful track at Bangpra for its weekly medal event, on a hot and humid day and they found a wonderfully prepared course. Ok, some of the greens were lightly dressed but this did not detract from an excellent tournament. The field was cut at twenty and under and an empty course allowed them to begin on time.
In division two Masashi Iizumi, playing his penultimate competition before his imminent return to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, marked the day with a fine net 77 to grab third place, two shots behind a resurgent Rob Dolan for whom the pleasure of the day was merely being on the course. The flight winner was the ebullient Anglo/Irish/Aussie Pat Murphy, whose hours of daily practice bore fruit with a net 73 for a good victory in unspectacular style.
The top flight was a much tighter affair with Ben Findon, Bill Hewitt and John Cunningham all posting scores of 76 for third place; the latter shooting the day’s best gross of 84. There was nothing to separate the top two golfers with Sam Fitzsimmons and Joe McArdle both hitting the magic par figure with net 72.
Playing together, Pat Murphy and Len Jones shared the pleasure of the ‘twos’ pot with fine birdies on the second hole, Pat leaving his tee shot tantalisingly short of the cup. The Booby Bevy found a suitable recipient in Andy Haycox, normally very consistent, whose round was nothing short of embarrassing. Congratulations to all winners and thanks to Bangpra for another fine day’s golf with the PGS.


A ‘Black Country’ win at Bangpra

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Monday April 10, Bangpra - White Tees, Stableford
With the Admiral sailing away for his annual sabbatical a good turnout of some 32 competitors teed it up at the popular Bangpra for the weekly stableford competition.
With last week’s competition being cancelled after nine holes for safety reasons due to heavy lightning, better weather was hoped for this week by the ‘stand in’ organizers and happily this turned out to be the case, although the occasional rumble of distant thunder did cause a little anxiety.
On the day the course was in good condition and although the greens were a little slower than we have come to expect here, it played at its difficult best.
Certainly this was reflected in the scores as Peter Harris’s 33 points turned out to be good enough to win the ‘B’ flight with Graham Mitchell (32pts) in second place, Brian Noguer (30pts) in third and Kevin Dinan (29 pts) in fourth.
The ‘A’ flight scores where somewhat better however, and it was the amiable ‘Brummie’ Kevin Dunn taking first place with an excellent 38pts from newcomer Dennis Bayley in second with a fine 37 points, closely followed by Ted Morris just ‘nicking’ third place on a last hole count back from Rick Evans in fourth; both carding a creditable 36points.
A good time was had by all and thankfully our leader will be sailing back in plenty of time for the next challenge.
Near Pins: Bill Plath, Peter Harris, Lionel Rowles, Graham Mitchell


Yes, we have no Bananas?

IPGC golf with The Caddyshack

Tuesday April 11, Green Valley, Medal
The Green Valley golf course, in immaculate condition, was the venue for a Medal competition with the cut being made at 15 and above. In Division Two, John Grindvoldshot shot a net 79; Mr. ‘Loy’ returned a 77 but the winner was Ian Grout with a net 73.
Division One saw Jack Grinvold at level par; Keith Smithson with a net 71 and topping the podium was Jan Eriksen with a 2 under par 70.
The ‘twos’ were shared between Jan & Al McGrory and the ‘Bananas’ were awarded to Keith Smithson for his three bogies on the closing three holes, which ultimately cost him victory in the premiere division.
Thursday April 13, The Emerald, Stableford
The start of Songkran saw the boys travel to The Emerald, Ban Chang for a Stableford competition with the cut made at 16 and above. Because of the condition of the fairways, ‘pick & place’ was the order of the day.
In Division Two, Ian Grout and Clark Alexander tied for third place with 30 points each. David Cooper took second spot with 33 points but Andy Li continued his fine recent form with a winning score of 36 points.
Division One had Keith Smithson in third with 35 points, Mike allidi second with 36 points and Paul Lavender topping the lot with a fine 38-point return.
Jack Spencer won the ‘twos’ outright whilst the ‘Bananas’ were unable to find a home as the cashier was delayed and wet: this being the first day of the water throwing activities.


19th Chiang Mai Cricket Sixes: The juniors score the highest

by Peter Cummins
The last day of the just-finished Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes was, indeed, to coin an off-used phrase: ‘a day to remember”: If not for the somewhat un-sensational cricket; rather than for the meteorological conditions, with incredible storm clouds and winds swirling around the compass. Finally a dust storm, reminiscent of the Gobi Desert, drove across the cricket ground.

Lively action is always guaranteed at the Chiang Mai 6’s (photo/Peter Cummins)

Although the cricket ground and the pitch were in very good condition, the severe floods in the last quarter of 2005 had turned the rest of the Gymkhana ground into a dust bowl. But the games went on: of course they did. This was, after all, cricket, was it not? And the beautiful old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club turned 108 this year.
In the premier division, the Cup Final, the Bangladeshi cricketers, proved their superiority to reach 92 for one loss, to demolish the British Ashwell Crusaders (62/4) and remained the only unbeaten team in the 19th Cricket Sixes.
In the Shield Final, for the handsome trophy sponsored by perennial tournament Director, the indefatigable Maurice Bromley and his petite hard-working wife, Renita, the Shanghai Dragons 86/1 beat the Awali Taverners 62/0.
Then followed, in rapid succession, the Bowl Final won by the Marchweil Outlaws (77/1) against the former champions the Lords Taverners (54/4); the Plate Final (Almar 88/1 def. the Taranaki Taverners (84/1). In the Spoon Final the Armadillos 59/0 just scraped in ahead of the Camel Bar Humps (58/4).

Some of these juniors can bowl a mean ball (photo/Peter Cummins)

Elsewhere, the Chiang Mai Chassies (and were there ever some fine chassis, there), continued their unbeaten run over the WW Dixie Belles in the Ladies Challenge.
In the 7th Chiang Mai Sixes Sawasdee Cricket Cup, played in conjunction with the “big people” on center field, the seven junior teams of the Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance (CMSCA), played in two divisions, Grade Five and lower and Grade Six for the first time this year.
With incredibly dedicated support from Parn Poshyanonda (Chairman of CMSCA), Peter Dawson, secretary, Eric Little coaching co-ordinator, amongst others, the children were thriving. Baan Saimoon (Hang Dong) won the title, with Chol Prathan Phataek (Doi Saket), Prince Royal’s College and Montford College, second to fourth, respectively.

Jeen from PRC College not only played for the school team, she also played in the Women’s Challenge game (photo/Eric Little)
In spite of (or, maybe, because of) this correspondent’s facetious remarks at the start of this article, it was, nevertheless, a week of sparkling big hitting and fast-moving cricket. Many tournament records were established and many sixes belted so far out of the ground, that the ball seemed destined for Bangkok.
We even had a scorer fall out of her chair, a metre or so above ground, to add a little excitement. But, the medics and Barbara were over the ground “at the double”. Even this lethargic photographer, ambled over, to try and assist a “damsel in distress”.
Our own Pattaya teams, especially Kim Fletcher’s Jameson’s Dilettantes, gave good accounts of their participation and will be back next year for the 20th.
The overall winners were the children and the inexorable march of junior cricket in the Kingdom, with much generous financing coming from the Sixes’ teams. As loyal and consistent supporter, Geoff Thompson said it so well: “The juniors are moving into international ranks, many joining this year’s seniors and several had already competed in international age-related events.
One ardent supporter, who must remain anonymous, of course, even had his hair dyed a passionate red, to raise funding for the juniors. All we can say is “thanks a little - er, a lot - Eric.
There is something great about returning to the Chiang Mai Sixes, even for a hopeless cricketer and, an even worse journalist - like myself: It is the chance to see the familiar supporters like head umpire Tony Gough and his team of most able men
Like John Bell, Barbara McHerron, Mike McCune who kept the web-site vibrant world-wide and the numerous cricket recidivists.
See you all again next April.

Does anybody recognize that ‘fielder’? (photo/Peter Cummins)

After the exhibition match, the boys and men leave the field together (photo/Eric Little)

Who would not go to the Sixes, when you can have these team guides? (photo/Peter Cummins)


Champion Nut claims the title

Ladies lawn bowls league

The Bowling Green - Pattaya saw the new ‘Ladies lawn bowling league’ come to a close Friday April 7 with the two semi final play offs being contested by Wanida and Jeang and Tanom and Nut. After some very competitive play, Nut and Jeang emerged as the victors from this round.

Jean Murphy (left) awards the winning prize to Nut

Despite having just completed two tough matches, the two victorious ladies decided that they would like to carry on straight into the final.
The semi final seemed to have taken its toll on Jeang however, as she was not able to find her usual quality of play and despite her best efforts, the final became a very one-sided affair. Nut on the other hand was able to maintain her top form and quickly built up a very large lead, which Jeang just could not pull back.
So the winner of the 2006 Ladies league is Nut. Jean Murphy (wife of one of the club owners) made the presentation to Nut on the night but a full presentation will be made at a future event when all leagues are being awarded


Pattaya All Thailand Table Tennis Championship 2006

Mr Sanga Kijsamrej Chairman of the Pattaya Table Tennis Association recently announced that Pattaya, in cooperation with the Table Tennis Association of Thailand, will host the “Pattaya All Thailand Table Tennis Championships 2006”, which will be held between 12 - 14 May to compete for the Pisit Katepasuk, Chonburi Governor’s Cup. Mr. Niran Watthanasartsathorn, Mayor of Pattaya City will preside over the competition at the Pattaya Indoor Stadium.
The event has been categorized as follows: Men’s; Women’s; Boys’ under 12, 15, 18; Girls’ under 12, 15, 18; Men’s 40-49 years; Men’s over 50s and Women’s over 40s. Applications to take part can be submitted up till April 30 and the tournament is open to anyone including both Thais and foreign nationals. Athletes from the SEA, Asian and Olympic Games are not allowed to compete and lots for the first round of the competition will be drawn on 7 May.
The organizing committee will award 15,000 baht to the winners of the Men’s and Women’s events, and over 100,000 baht in total prize money is on offer. Trophies will also be awarded to the winners of each category.
Contestants can submit applications to the Table Tennis Association of Thailand on Rama 1 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, telephone 02 215 6884 Mondays to Fridays between 14:00-18 :00 hrs or send applications by post to Mr Charoen Kacharintr, 118/35 Pariyakorn Village, Muu 9, Sattahip, Chonburi before 30 April or call Theerwat Khumbangsee on 01 833 9165 or Mr Anaek Tanaanyiam on 06 839 4933, 038 326 117


King Power keeps Gold Cup

Siam Polo news by
Tom Claytor
(photos by Chatchaya)

It was a brilliant battle between the three teams of King Power, VRSC and Siam Polo at VR Sports Club this past weekend. The ‘Gold Cup’ is Thailand’s end-of-season friendly two-day polo tournament between all experienced and new players at VR Polo and Siam Polo clubs.
One of the favourite teams for this year was the VRSC team led by team captain Eric Butter and powerhouses William and Marco and top gun No out front, but in the first game, the powerful underdogs from Siam Polo Park pulled the rug out from under their feet, and left them stumbling with a 4-1 defeat on the first day. The King Power Team completed the task, when they further hammered the VRSC team 9-0. When Siam Polo went up against King Power, they were tied 2-2 at the half, then King Power pulled ahead to end up at 6-2.
On the second day, the Siam Polo Team completed their victory against VRSC, but then were soundly beaten by King Power who claimed the Gold Cup again, after winning it last year.
In the amateur division, VRSC with Khun Robin, Khun Susy and Khun Ploy, ended the first day with a 3-3 tie against the Siam Polo Team with Jaime, Tumb and Frances. During the second day, Cabeza and Marco battled hard with the two amateur teams, because they knew well that the penalty of loss was the dreaded Songkran “agua-con-helio” Cup, (a huge tub full of ice water for the losing team). The amateur VR team just squeaked past the Siam Polo team in the final chukka.
April is the very hot season for polo, so this is the time of year when the Songkran Cup features very prominently at the club. The losing team lies down to receive this special cup as the ice water is poured over all of the team players. It was an exciting and fun tournament with two evenings of Argentine Asado and dancing. For more information visit www.siampolonews.com

Siam Polo Park went head to head with the King Power team for the 2006 Gold Cup.

The three Fast Teams in this years King Power Gold Cup


The Square Ring

by Howie Reed

Last week as the people of Pattaya were throwing water to celebrate Thailand’s New Year, in Nevada, the State Athletic Commission was meeting in open session in an attempt to sort out the confusion that became the last 10 seconds of the 10th round of the title match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Zab Judah. A brief recap is in order.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. was kicking the stuffing’s out of Zab Judah. With 10 seconds left in the 10th round Judah landed a “really” low blow and followed that up with an illegal rabbit punch. Referee Richard Steele stopped the action, (good move Richard, Duh!). At that time Roger Mayweather, uncle and trainer of Floyd, entered the ring. Entering from the other side of the ring was Leonard Ellerbe and Judah’s father/trainer Yoel Judah. Video replays indicate that Yoel tossed the first punch but was soon joined by his son Zab and an assortment of other “nar-do-wells”. Mayweather Jr. stayed out of the fray. Roger Mayweather was immediately banished from the venue and after 12 rounds Mayweather won a unanimous verdict.
After the decision was announced, Judah’s promoter Don King wanted Mayweather Jr. disqualified because a member of his corner entered the ring. The commission ordered all purses held pending a hearing.
At the hearing held before an overflowing audience, the Commission decided on the following course of action: Mayweather’s purse of $5 million USD would be released. Uncle Roger Mayweather would be fined $200,000 USD and have his training license revoked for a year for entering the ring before the 10th round ended. Judah’s purse would continue to be withheld pending a disciplinary hearing yet to be scheduled.
The commission will now hire an expert to break down the melee frame-by-frame to identify all the people in the ring and review exactly what took place. They also plan to further address the rabbit punch thrown by Judah, as well as Zab’s involvement in the melee, which included pushing two inspectors and striking at least one person.
It’s confusing to many why Judah’s promoter Don King has made such a big fuss about a case he is sure to lose, for a boxer with so little future. Kevin Iole, boxing writer for the Las Vegas Review Journal, has an opinion.
“Zab Judah has to have some incriminating pictures of Don King somewhere. That has to be the explanation, because there is no rational reason why King is going so far out on a limb for a fighter with so little value left.”
At the hearing King argued that Mayweather should have been disqualified because his trainer entered the ring. The Commission, as ever having the final word, disagreed. “Mayweather’s win stands because referee Richard Steele made a decision the fight would continue and the rules clearly state, ‘if an unauthorized person enters the ring, the referee “may” stop the fight.’”
Betting in Las Vegas is that Judah is far from out of the woods just yet. Best guess is that Judah will be fined a substantial sum of money and have his license suspended for 6 months. The money that Judah was to get from the match had already been allocated to the United States Internal Revenue Service and promoter Don King. It’s doubtful that the IRS would settle for anything less than was owed. The money would have to come out of promoter Don King’s pocket, which might explain his actions. Well if anything can explain Don King’s actions.
Tis that time of the year when heavyweights come out to play. One fighter, “Baby” Joe Mesi (30-0) got a head start on the others when he recently made his first ring appearance in nearly 2 years. Mesi had been under medical suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. When the suspension was lifted, the island of Puerto Rico licensed Mesi to fight Ron Bellamy (14-5) who is not even good enough to be a trial horse. Mesi got an 8 round decision which proved nothing.
Sunday IBF Champ Chris Byrd gets another chance to rejuvenate a career that has been dormant since his convincing win over Evander Holyfield in 2002. His last outing against DeVarryl Williamson (22-3) wasn’t even good enough to be called lousy. On Sunday Byrd steps into the ring at the SAP, Mannheim, Germany to defend his title against Wladimir Klitschko (45-3). This will be a rematch of sorts as they met in 2000. On that occasion Klitschko won a very easy unanimous decision, (120-106, 119-107, 118-108) and the much-valued WBO heavyweight title. Look for a ‘yawner’ of the highest order.
The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales will play host to many events this year. Among them are the FA Cup Final on May 13, ancient rockers The Eagles and Rolling Stones, Madonna and a really big prize fight on July 8 between Joe Calzaghe and Clinton Woods. Calzaghe will be defending his WBO/IBF super middle title and his promoter’s 500,000 British Pounds. Woods promoter, Dennis Hobson, offered to make a 100,000 Pound side bet on his fighter. Warren upped the ante to 500,000. Hobson then demanded that Warren offer him odds or no bet.
“Frank can pick any big name bookies he wants and as long as he agrees to match their odds - whatever they may be - for Clinton to win then I’ll gladly have a half a million bet with him,” said Hobson in a press release. “He can name the stakes.” Warren has now contacted Mike Dillon of Ladbrokes and is prepared to match the 7-4 odds being offered by them.
Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (40-0) will now not make his first USA defence of his IBF/WBA Jr. welter titles on May 13 in Boston. Nope. Instead he’ll move up in weight to fight WBA welter champ Luis Collazo (26-1). With only 7 pounds difference and Collazo not having a lot of sock in his punch the step up should make no difference. Hatton, like Jesse James, knows where the money is. “I had to come to the United States to prove myself. I fought for a long time in England and a lot of people thought I was a protected fighter.”
Well Hatton was protected, build a great record and now gets to cash in on the big bucks. Luis Collazo said, “His team is underestimating me. They’re talking about a Floyd Mayweather fight that will give him recognition as the pound-for-pound best fighter. But he’ll find out that at 147 it’s a whole different ball game.” Different game but same result: Take Hatton to get to 41-0. Recently, up and coming “non weight” Pornsawan Porpramook (15-0, 12 KOs) retained his PABA crown by stopping Sonny Boy Jaro (20-5-3). This was his third defence. Things have not been all cold beer and dancing girls for the Thai boxers though. Former champ Yoddamrong Sithyodthong Singwangcha (45-3-1) went to Japan to meet another former champ, Shoji Kimura (19-1-1). T’was not a good trip. This from the fertile mind and computer of the best boxing writer in the world, Joe Koizumi: “Former Japanese 122-pound champ Shoji Kimura was awarded a less than impressive unanimous decision over ex-world ruler Yoddamrong Sithyodthong Singwangcha, in ten lousy rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Yoddamrong seemed to have left his fighting spirit in his native Thailand, as he seldom threw solid blows and looked just content to block the Japanese boxer’s light combinations. Kimura didn’t look impressive as he kept peppering him on the guard. Neither displayed any punishment after the fight, which showed what a dull affair it was. The Thai was penalized twice for low blows in the eighth, as Kimura exaggeratedly knelt down to appeal his damage to the referee. Yoddamrong’s Japanese cornermen inexplicably didn’t appear to properly tell him how to penetrate Kimura’s ‘peek-a-boo’ guard“
Ok Joe, now tell us how you ‘really’ feel about the fight?
Very seldom does one of the ‘talking heads’, who like to provide their opinion on what’s going on in the ring, ever say anything that’s worthwhile - unlike boxing writers. Jim Lampley is the lead announcer on HBO Boxing. He is the company shill. He spouts the company line with the ease of a lady saying, “I love you too much.” When Judah landed his low blow Lampley said, “That was as classless a move as we’ve ever seen.” Guess he missed Judah trying to choke referee Jay Nady in a previous visit to Las Vegas.
Jeeves has returned from his days of being silly tossing water, watching ladies dance and driving like my ex wife. He’s back on track serving his master. “Jeeves, I believe that I’d like to celebrate your safe return and Jim Lampley actually saying something worthwhile. Perchance could you procure a tall glass of amber liquid, filled with ice and a lime. Well done my good man.