Youth too much for experience at Gymkhana

Lanna 127/5

Jason Bray 17, Hugh Williams 26, Adrian Ballantyne 25, Adam Green 17

Lanna Juniors 128/8

Chanchai 31 retired, Choo 23, Formot 33 retired, Jun 16*, Chris Love 3/15, Taran Persaud 3/33

Lanna Juniors
won by 2 wickets

Brimmed full of confidence after beating the might of United the day before at Royals Lanna Juniors took on their seniors again in a social Sunday match at Gymkhana and despite giving away a combined 400 years in experience the juniors tasted victory for the second time in the weekend.

The playing conditions set out for the match meant that every player on both sides would have a chance to bat or bowl and the only advantage that the juniors were allowed was to have an extra fielder but their youth and speed around the field proved the decisive factor.

The adults batted first and Jason Bray and Hugh Williams made a steady start but they did struggle to pierce the field or to run quick singles. Jason was eventually run out for 17 after the opening partnership had reached 42 and Hugh was caught behind for 26 just after drinks. Although Adrian Ballantyne made 25 all the youngsters from Buak Kroc Noi School bowled steadily showing the value of the hours they spend practising in the Gymkhana nets.

Ubaid is a high quality player but he was well caught by Bunchuai off the bowling of Chat and Adam Green almost managed to score at a run a ball as he made a bright and breezy 17. Even captain Pete couldn’t work his usual magic and was lbw to Bunchuai’s leg-spin who did well to share the overs between no fewer than 11 bowlers. Lanna’s final total was a rather modest 127 for 6 in 25 overs.

Would the veterans’ vast experience and an array of slow bowling options be able to save the day? Barry’s first over went for 11 as Chanchai looked to build on his fine innings against United but Chris Love, a welcome visitor who had last played at Gymkhana for Blythswood in the Chiang Mai Sixes, bowled Cher with his second ball.

Ti has a solid defence and while he blocked Chanchai hit out as he reached 31 from 25 balls with 5 fours and Choo also found the boundary with ease as he made 23. Although Chris Love dismissed Yod and Daeng for ducks to finish with a masterly 3 for 15, this only brought Formot to the crease.

Formot from Mae On has looked a classy batsman for a number of years but he has not spent the hours in the nets that some of the Lamphun boys have but he suddenly found his form and played some lovely shots as he raced to 33 from 20 balls and his cover drive for four was one of the best shots of the season.

Min as usual played one powerful shot and got carried away to be stumped off Taran Persaud and the Dark Destroyer could be pleased with his figures of 3 for 33 as the match came to its conclusion with the last pair at the crease. It is misleading to say this was a close contest as the last pair happened to be Jun and Bunchuai and Chanchai and Formot were able to return after retiring.

But both teams could be happy at the end of a match won by the Juniors by 2 wickets because every player had been fully involved and the boys continue to show their rapid improvement. The best of the youngsters have almost outgrown Sunday afternoon cricket at Gymkhana but it was good to see some of the younger boys bowling so accurately and looking so sharp in the field.

In the end youthful energy had proved too much for aged experience but Lanna can be proud of the rapid development of these young Thai cricketers.

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