A lovely day of women’s cricket at Royals as four development teams packed with young talent started a competition that will see all the girls play no fewer than five 25-over matches with a league, semi-finals and final / 3rd place play-off.

Five of Chris Dodd’s Lamphun squad, Nok, Aree, Wheel, Nai and Dao, all Hill Tribe Fund sponsored cricketers, are in the Northern Angels squad and it is great to report that 15-year-old Nok had a very good day against a young Malaysian team as he opened the bowling and took an early wicket and took a very good catch at backward point as the Malays were restricted to a total of 91 in their 25 overs.

She then opened the batting and demonstrated the good technique and sensible approach that is a characteristic of so many of Chris’ Lamphun players. She does lack power but played one very good square cut for four and pushed the singles capably to reach 32 not out and take her side to victory by seven wickets. She will have to work on her running between the wickets as hitting the ball at the fielder and charging down the wicket will bring her downfall in a higher standard of cricket.

But her performance in the Chiang Mai Ladies International Challenge is another step in the right direction towards the international career with Thailand that she dreams of. She was deservedly named player of the match and will have impressed Sornnarin Tippoch (Noi) and Nattaya Boochatham (Fon), Thailand’s two most experienced players who were watching.

Of course Locky was there taking his media duties and role in local junior cricket very seriously and was delighted to make the award alongside Fon, Thailand’s new captain who was umpiring the match.