VIENTIENE, Laos – The first day concluded with all the teams having played 3 matches with Lamphun CC being the only one to win all three. PCC had won 2 and by virtue of collecting sufficient bonus points managed to hold 2nd place. There was one remaining pool match to play followed by the finals, the format for which had been modified due to time constraints. Essentially, the leader would win the right to be in the final, and the others would win the right to join them or play for 3rd/4th or 5th/6th and the associated trophies.
PCCs final pool match was the first of the day against Patong CC who provided surprisingly stiff opposition. Captain Butterfingers was allowed to bat first by agreement. PCC opened with Luke and Mike against Shiran. A blazing opening over from Luke added 20. Jags bowled well for 8 and Flowers got hit for 19 by Mike. A cracking start of 47 for 0 off 3 overs. More boundaries from Mike saw him retire on 37 and Habby went in. 60 for 1. More boundaries from Luke against Leny and he retired for 35, replaced by Hardik at 74 for 2. Habby only lasted 4 balls as he failed to keep his head down and was bowled by Ian for 3. Marcus got a golden duck as he too was bowled by Ian.
Hardik and Trevor batted out the remaining 2 overs, with Hardik surviving a dropped catch and 17 not out. A total of 99 for 4. Trevor managed to collide with his own bat whilst trying to make his ground and the handle caused SE Asia’s biggest bruise of the year on his thigh, but he soldiered on. Patong opened with Mike and Jags against the bowling of Mike Gerits. A cheeky ramp shot for 4 was included in a good start for 13 runs. Hardik bowled well in the 2nd over by crashing Jag’s stumps for only 7 runs and 7 off the over.
Curt went in at 21 for 1. Habby’s ankle had improved overnight but Patong still took 13 and Marcus was hammered for 17. 51 for 1 after 4 overs. Trevor had no luck as he was hit for 15 whilst Luke slowed the rate with 8 runs including 4 dots. Captain Butterfingers got a hand to a caught and bowled opportunity but couldn’t make it stick. The last over went for another 15 and Patong finished at 90 for 1 with Curt 29 not out and Flowers on 27 not out. Mr. Extras did well with 27.
This left PCC to play a semi-final against the Laos Lions to justify a final finish with Lamphun who had won their 4th match and topped the Table. Captain Butterfingers finally won a toss and opened with Luke and Mike against Simmo who bowled a tad short and was hit for 19. Rick M had Luke caught on the boundary for 12 by a juggler called Marty. 25 for 1 off 2. Hardik hit a 6 and was then caught by Prashanta on the boundary off Havel and 54 for 2 off 4. Habby survived an attempted catch from Marty as the score marched on. 65 for 2 off 5. Ishan bowled well but 16 were taken off the last and Mike finished 34 not out with Habby 25 not out. 89 for 2.
The Laos Lions would have to work hard to chase 89. They opened with Simmo and Havel as PCC began to bowl much more accurately and restricted the Lions to only 50 runs whilst only taking one wicket. All of the PCC bowlers went for less than 10 runs except Habby who had the only extra. Marcus was the only wicket taker when Mike took a good catch to dismiss Simmo for 7, but there were missed opportunities when Trevor and Hardik dropped catches and Trevor missed a run out opportunity. The Laos Lions finished on 50 for 1 and lost by 39 runs.
The final would be between Lamphun and Pattaya. Our Captain lost the toss again and Lamphun opened with Johnny and Chan Chai against Mike. 10 extras and 3 runs off the first. 15 from Hardik included a boundary 4 from a misfield. Marcus was battered for 17 which included a dropped catch by Mike on the boundary, but he saved a 6. 45 for 0 of 3. Habby went for 16 which included 4 overthrows as PCC got a little frantic and Johnny retired on 36. Chan Chai had seen little of the strike but when Luke bowled he holed out to Hardik at long on for 11 and Lamphun were on 72 for 1 after 5 overs. Cher and Champ at the crease were reasonably well contained by Trevor and Andy and Lamphun finished on 96 for 2.
PCC opened with Luke and Mike against Feem. 16 runs off the first 5 balls was a great start but Johnny caught Luke for 7 on the 6th ball in a match where wickets needed to be kept. Frame bowled well for 7 and dropped a caught and bowled from Mike. 23 for 1. Beem bowled poorly and although he went for 18, he had Mike caught for 18 by Frame, 41 for 2. Hardik got a huge 6 in a poor over from Johnny which went for 19, but it was Ton that did the damage. He caught and bowled Habby for 11 and Johnny caught Andy for a Golden Duck for only 2 off the over. 62 for 4 from 5 and 35 needed of the last 2. Cher bowled well as Johnny took his 3rd catch of the match to dismiss Hardik for 21 and 72 for 5 from 6. Chanchai gave away 10 runs in the last over and PCC finished on 82 for 5, beaten by 14 runs.
Lamphun defended their position with some great cricket and were deserved winners, whilst PCC gave an excellent account of themselves. The Player of the final was Johnny and the player of the tournament was Avneesh Chopri from The British Club.
PCC would like to thank their sponsors and The Outback Bar and The Magic Bar for their support.
