British Club have been visiting Chiang Mai from Bangkok since 1982 and it is a tradition that a social match involving the local juniors is played on the Saturday before the serious business of the Dick Wood Cup is played on the Sunday. Many of the best juniors were away as Lamphun were playing in the National Youth Championships and it was also a busy weekend of exams but several juniors were still able to play in the Gymkhana side that was selected on the basis of giving everybody a chance to play against prestigious opponents.

Gymkhana Club batted first and worries of an early collapsed were quickly dispelled as Richard Cowles and Shine Thomas matched each other stroke for stroke as they shared an opening partnership of 87 in just 7 overs. Shine was dismissed for 29 from 21 balls but Richard reached 44 from 20 balls to retire shortly afterwards.

Choo was the most experienced of the juniors and batted well and he was also required to retire on reaching 40 but Daeng and Ong also hit some good shots and Lou Gleeson enjoyed the luxury of a runners to save his knees only to hit four fours in an innings of 28*. Min, Yod and Chat all made noughts but a total of 189 for 6 in 25 overs was still an impressive one.

British Club's reply did not start well as Nick White was no doubt reflecting on a nice on-drive rather than sprinting for the crease and was run out by a bullet-like throw from Choo. JD was unable to repeat his normal success with the ball against British Club but he managed to be standing in exactly the right place to catch a flick off the legs from Vaughan McClear off the bowling of Tingtang who has made a recent return to cricket and can still bowl very useful in-swingers.

She is still only 17 having played cricket at Prince Royal College alongside Jean who is doing so well for the Thailand women's team. Tingtang completed a wicket maiden and took two more wickets in her next over as British Club slipped to 49 for 4. She finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 9 and it is hoped she will get more opportunities to show off her bowling.

Tingtang had the best figures of the day but everybody was given at least one over by captain Locky who even gave himself a bowl and took a wicket with his first ball. It was that sort of day as every move he made seemed to pay off in rather unexpected fashion. Chat had also taken a wicket first ball but Ong and Min were more expensive but Locky was still credited with keeping the game alive.

British Club captain Sarg batted so well on one leg that his team only needed 40 from the last three overs so Locky was beginning to wonder if he had control of the match. Luckily, his tenth and eleventh bowling options did well as Shine bowled Patrick for 17 and Jack Dunford was bowled by Lou Gleeson to bring the match to an end as British Club were bowled out for a respectable 158 to lose by just 31 runs.

The match had been played in a wonderful spirit and many kind words were exchanged and probably the highlight of the day was eight-year old Alex guesting for the home side and showing he had great potential with the bat at the end of the innings. It is thought he is the youngest person to play cricket for Gymkhana Club and his performance will be one of the lasting memories of a marvellous day.

Gymkhana Club successfully retained the Dick Wood Cup on the Sunday with Choo and Yod invited to play for British Club and playing their part as Gymkhana were reduced to a perilous 5 for 3. British Club doyen Jack Dunford was delighted with the weekend and the way in which the cricket had been conducted.

Jack's kind words of appreciation come from the heart:

'the spirit this year was better than for a long time .. the players selected, the way they played, and the way they enjoyed the madness afterwords … Great!'

We must all make sure that this is the way cricket is conducted every weekend and of course during the San Miguel Chiang Mai International Sixes.