KOH CHANG, Thailand – Part 1 reported the ups and downs, mainly downs, of the PCC Thoroughbreds in their bid to win the Wooden spoon. This report will cover the progress and more realistic expectations of the PCC Stallions who, because of non-arrivals had to promote 3 members from the Thoroughbreds into their team. Despite the loss of talent, the Stallions could still muster a respectable team with a broad range of talents via Andy Emery (Captain Butterfingers), Simon Philbrook, Andre Human, Trevor Moolman, Marcus Chalkley and Jainish Parikh.
The Stallions bid to retain the Championship commenced with a match against the Bangkok Boondocks. The Boondocks lost the toss and The Stallions decided to bat first. Jainish opened the batting with a solid 11 runs, followed by Andre who was dropped first ball off Gavi’s bowling but still managed 13 runs with a 4 from a No Ball. Simon added 12 for a score of 36-0 at half way. The run-rate slowed in the second half to finish at 50-0 and a defendable score.
Sunny took the crease for the Boondocks whilst Andre managed some swing from the new ball. Only 5 off the over. Andy bowled Jasuin first ball be he recovered well to score 10. Marcus nearly had Ne caught on the boundary but Captain Butterfingers dropped it over the line for 6 and then had 2 misfields for 4 each. 20 off the over and 35 for 1. Simon’s first ball to Kiku was a No Ball hit for 6, but Simon got revenge when Marcus took a catch, whilst he dropped a caught & bowled. 12 off the over. 37 for 2. Trevor took the ball and had Nayak run out twice for a -6 as the Stallions held back the Boondocks. 31 for 4. Jainish bowled the last over and the score ended at 42 for 4 and a Stallions win by 8 runs. A good start to the campaign.
The Stallions next match was against Ganesha. Jainish and Andre started well with 31 without loss. Simon was dropped and long off and escaped being caught off a No Ball, but he did manage 8 runs. 39 for 0. Thereafter the wheels fell off as 3 went to the duck pond. Marcus ran himself out, possibly because Gary shouted, “2”. Then Pang had him caught behind for -7. Trevor was pinch hitting against Baz but was bowled on the last ball for -1. Johnny bowled the last over against Andy who was caught on the boundary by Pang and then again by Poom for -7 and the score ended on 24 for 5. A miracle was needed.
Ganesha opened with Johnny batting against Andre. A brisk 13 runs. Bharmane was limited to 8 by Andy whilst Marcus was battered by L Poom for 21. 42 for 0 and lots of wickets needed. They didn’t come. B Poom took 13 off Simon and Pang got 3 from Trevor as he was dropped behind by Capt Butterfingers. 58-0. Jainish bowled the final over and rattled the woodwork on his first ball, but Baz still managed 9 runs and Ganesha won by 43 runs with 67 for 1. The loss meant it was likely that the Stallions would play the winners of Group B in the finals
The final Group match was against the Samui Mad Monkeys (SMM). The Stallions batted first with Jainish and Andre versus Johnny and Hutch and made 32 without loss. Simon was caught behind first ball but recovered well to score 11. 43-1. Marcus made 12 without hitting a ball from Pillai and Andre scored 15 after being caught off Gray. 70-2. Andy added 4 in the last over from Manu and the Stallions ended at 74 for 2.
SMM would struggle to make 74 although they started well with Billy getting 13 from Jainish and Pillai getting 10 from Trevor. Manu made 8 off Simon despite being excellently caught behind by Andy’s now butterless fingers. 31-1. Marcus restricted Hutch to -2 and a trip to the pond due to a catch from Trevor and the score reduced to 29-2. Andre added to their woes when Simon took a great catch at long off to dismiss Gray. 33-3. The final over brought drama as Andre took a catch past the boundary one-handed and Simon took another catch behind the stumps and Champ went to the duck pond. 31 for 4 and a win by 43 runs to the Stallions.
The first semi-final for the shield would be the Stallions versus the Mutant Misfits. Jainish opened the batting but few of the Stallion batsmen could get away against tight bowling from the Mutants. Jainish, Simon, Marcus and Andy could only manage 13 between them, whilst Trevor and Andre managed 23. Still, 36-0 showed they could protect their wickets but they needed a few more runs.
The Mutants started well with 12 against Jainish, 10 against Trevor and 15 against Simon, but Marcus took a wicket and restricted them for 5 runs, 42 for 1. Andre did not want to be outdone and dismissed Bobby twice for minus 2 and just 3 from Andy created a low scoring match where the Mutants won by 7 runs with 43 for 3. There ended the Stallions participation.
The Cup final was won by the British Club Master batters beating the Black Parrots and the Shield was won by the Mutant Misfits beating Ganesha. The Wooden spoon was won by the Bangkok Bandooks, the Chopsticks by Samui Mad Monkeys and individual trophies went to Cher for his batting, Manu Samou for his bowling and the player of the Tournament went to Natik.
PCC wish to thank the Outback Bar, the Magic Bar and the Pattaya Sports Group for their support and assistance.
