Part 1 described the highs and lows, mostly lows, experienced by the Pattaya Cricket Club Thoroughbreds in their effort to claim the Wooden Spoon.
This account will detail the developments and more practical hopes of the PCC Stallions, who, due to players not showing up, had to elevate 3 individuals from the Thoroughbreds to join their squad. Even with the departure of key players, the Stallions managed to assemble a solid lineup featuring a diverse set of skills from Andy Emery (Captain Butterfingers), Simon Philbrook, Andre Human, Trevor Moolman, Marcus Chalkley, and Jainish Parikh.
The Stallions’ attempt to defend the Championship began with a game versus the Bangkok Boondocks.
The Boondocks lost the toss, and the Stallions opted to bat first. Jainish opened with a steady 11 runs, followed by Andre, who survived a dropped catch off Gavi’s first ball and scored 13 runs, including a 4 from a No Ball. Simon contributed 12 runs, bringing the score to 36-0 at the halfway mark. The run rate dipped in the second half, ending at a defendable 50-0.
Sunny opened for the Boondocks, facing Andre, who generated swing with the new ball, conceding just 5 runs in the over. Andy dismissed Jasuin with his first ball, though Jasuin later scored 10. Marcus nearly caught Ne at the boundary, but Captain Butterfingers dropped it over the line for a 6 and allowed two misfields for 4 runs each, resulting in 20 runs off the over and a score of 35-1. Simon’s first ball to Kiku was a No Ball hit for 6, but he redeemed himself when Marcus took a catch, though Simon missed a caught-and-bowled chance, yielding 12 runs in the over, with the score at 37-2. Trevor bowled next, orchestrating two run-outs of Nayak for a -6, as the Stallions restrained the Boondocks to 31-4. Jainish bowled the final over, and the Boondocks finished at 42-4, handing the Stallions an 8-run victory. A strong start to their campaign.
The Stallions’ next match was against Ganesha. Jainish and Andre opened strongly, reaching 31 without loss. Simon survived a drop at long-off and a No Ball but scored 8 runs, bringing the score to 39-0. However, the innings collapsed as three players scored ducks. Marcus ran himself out, possibly misled by Gary’s shout ofBrookhavenof “2,” and was caught behind by Pang for -7. Trevor, pinch-hitting against Baz, was bowled on the final ball for -1.
Johnny bowled the last over against Andy, who was caught on the boundary by Pang and then by Poom for -7, ending at 24-5. Ganesha needed a miracle to win. Ganesha’s Johnny opened against Andre, scoring a quick 13 runs. Bharmane was restricted to 8 by Andy, but Marcus was hit for 21 by L Poom, leaving Ganesha at 42-0 with wickets still needed. None came. B Poom scored 13 off Simon, Pang added 3 off Trevor despite a drop by Captain nenhuma Butterfingers, and the score reached 58-0. Jainish bowled the final over, taking a wicket on his first ball, but Baz scored 9, and Ganesha won by 43 runs with 67-1. The defeat meant the Stallions would likely face Group B’s winners in the finals.
The last Group match pitted the Stallions against the Samui Mad Monkeys (SMM). Batting first, the Stallions saw Jainish and Andre face Johnny and Hutch, scoring 32 without loss. Simon was caught behind on the first ball but bounced back with 11 runs, bringing the score to 43-1. Marcus added 12 without hitting a ball off Pillai, and Andre scored 15 despite being caught off Gray, reaching 70-2. Andy contributed 4 in the final over from Manu, and the Stallions finished at 74-2.
SMM faced an uphill battle chasing 74 but started strongly, with Billy scoring 13 off Jainish and Pillai adding 10 off Trevor. Manu made 8 off Simon, despite a sharp catch behind by Andy, whose hands were now steady, leaving SMM at 31-1. Marcus limited Hutch to -2, with Trevor taking a catch to send him to the duck pond, reducing SMM to 29-2. Andre worsened their situation when Simon caught Gray at long-off, bringing the score to 33-3.
The final over was dramatic, with Andre taking a one-handed catch beyond the boundary and Simon securing another behind the stumps, sending Champ to the duck pond. SMM ended at 31-4, giving the Stallions a 43-run victory. In the first semi-final for the shield, the Stallions faced the Mutant Misfits. Jainish opened, but the Stallions’ batsmen struggled against the Mutants’ tight bowling. Jainish, Simon, Marcus, and Andy collectively scored 13, while Trevor and Andre managed 23. Their 36-0 showed wicket protection but lacked runs. The Mutants started well, scoring 12 off Jainish, 10 off Trevor, and 15 off Simon, but Marcus took a wicket and limited them to 5 runs, making it 42-1.
Andre matched Marcus by dismissing Bobby twice for -2, and Andy conceded just 3 runs, resulting in a low-scoring match where the Mutants won by 7 runs with 43-3, ending the Stallions’ tournament run. The Cup final saw the British Club Master Batters defeat the Black Parrots, while the Mutant Misfits won the Shield against Ganesha. The Wooden Spoon went to the Bangkok Bandooks, the Chopsticks to the Samui Mad Monkeys, and individual awards were given to Cher for batting, Manu Samou for bowling, and Natik as Player of the Tournament.
PCC extends gratitude to the Outback Bar, the Magic Bar, and the Pattaya Sports Group for their support and assistance.
