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In the Chiang Mai cricket league, the Chiang Mai Colts and U.N. Irish Pub played at the Gymkhana Club in early December. Thanathit Jiraphanthawong (Tong) opened the batting with Peeravat Duangthip (Gun) and they compiled a rapid 50 before Gun was dismissed for 17. Tong continued his merry way to a chanceless 70 before being caught at point, off the bowling of Nick Hanlon. Newcomer Shani weighed in with a well-made 35 but the latter part of the innings were dominated by captain, Jigme Singye, who finished with 44, not out to steer the Colts to a respectable 5/192.
The Irish Pub crumbled early with only Chris Coombes (17) and Nick Hanlon (15) showing any real resistance and at one stage were 8/81. But then fast bowler, Amarit Hans, strode to the wicket and made an aggressive 33 not out to give the score some respectability to finish all-out for 125.
December 13th – 23rd the International Women’s Under-19 tournament was played at the Gymkhana Club. Twelve countries competed including China, Oman, Malaysia, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore and most other S.E. Asian countries.
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From November 3rd through to the 8th, Bangkok hosted an ITF grade 4 tournament. The Prem Tennis Academy sent three of its players, Tan, Bright and Kana to participate. Only Bright had a direct entry into the girls singles main draw, leaving Tan and Kana to fight it out with the other qualifiers for spots in the main draw. Tan won both his qualifying matches into the boys’ main draw, and Kana won both her matches to also secure a spot in the girls’ main draw. Bright won her first two singles matches, before losing to a seeded player in round 16. She earned valuable ITF points, and saw her ranking increase by over 100 spots. Kana, 13 years old, fought hard in her first ITF tournament, making it to the 2nd round before falling to a more experienced player. Tan played 7 matches in 6 days, including 2 main draw singles and 3 main draw doubles matches. He obtained points through his doubles efforts, and also saw his ITF ranking increase by over 100 spots.
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The Farangutans played infrequently during the months of November and December, losing a close friendly over in Lamphun 4-3 and winning in the Chiang Mai Cup against Jambala. In the Lamphun game they were 3-1 up at one point, with not much time on the clock, but strained muscles and dodgy footwear saw three players sidelined. Lamphun took advantage and scored three quick goals. In their match against Jambala the farangs went two goals up in the first five minutes and then went on to have a flurry of chances. Unbelievably, and thanks to some below par shooting, the score ended 2-0. It seems they have qualified for the next stage of the competition; they might possible have to play their old nemesis, the Wing 41 air force.
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Don’t forget every Sunday there is pick-up softball game at 2.30 p.m. played at the entrance to Chiang Mai Land. Come and join.