Pattaya’s cricketing Pirates raid Koh Chang

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Pattaya Cricket Club sent two teams, Pattaya Pirates A and Pattaya Pirates B, to compete in the inaugural Koh Chang Beach Cricket Tournament, held from August 21-23 at the marvellous Siam Royal View beach resort.

Arriving at the island on the Friday, Captain Simon Philbrook (the A team skipper) and Bobby Young (the B team skipper) assembled their pirates to discuss the rules of engagement and a plan of attack.

Two groups of five teams playing each other in a six-a-side format was the order of the day, with each player bowling and batting for one over, and the placings in the group deciding which final you qualified for.

Under brilliant skies and wearing orange bandanas both Pattaya teams performed admirably, only losing one group game apiece.  Notable performances for the A team with the bat came from Dan Nicholson, Andy Emery and Nathan Williams, and with the ball from Sam Nethery and Bernie Lamprecht.

The B team batting notables were Chris Waddington and Richard Holt, and bowling Dave (somebody) and Eddie Emmett.  Jez Lees was outstanding in the field/beach, taking numerous vital catches and then proceeding to ask every spectator if they had witnessed them.

The consequence of finishing runners up in both groups meant the A team played the B team in the Plate final.  You could have cut the atmosphere with a cutlass before the piece of eight was tossed in the air by Simon Philbrook.   Bobby Young called correctly and had no hesitation in bowling first.

Salman Khan spanked Eddie Emmett all over the beach, Sam Nethery overcame Bobby Young and Simon Philbrook dominated Usman Janjua as the A team scored a defiant 62 runs.

Pattaya Pirates A & B teams line up for a group photo prior to the Plate final at the Koh Chang Beach Cricket Tournament, August 23.

In reply, Mike Emery faced his son Andy and showed there is life in the old dog by taking 10 from the opening over.  Kyle ‘Roachie’ Roadley then dismissed the hapless Richard Holt twice in the second over to put the A team in complete control.  Blistering barnacles was the cry as wickets tumbled for the loss of 5 runs apiece.  Even Dave (somebody) could not put a gloss on the scoreboard that recorded the first minus score of the tournament.

Bernie Lamprecht was awarded the bowler of the tournament trophy and Simon Philbrook collected the Plate from the crestfallen Alan Mullally of England cricket fame.

The Siam Royal View resort on Koh Chang provided a magnificent setting for the island’s inaugural beach cricket tournament. (Photo courtesy Koh Chang Beach Cricket)

The result did not matter.  What was important was the fact that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend playing in the first ever beach cricket tournament in Koh Chang, which promises to be even bigger and better next year.

Anyone wishing to be involved with PCC is encouraged to visit the club’s Facebook page or look at the club website at www.pattayacricketclub.com.  We are actively looking to recruit new players of all abilities for the new season which starts in November.