The Chaophya Park 7th Annual Thailand International Cricket Sixes Tournament 2014 was held at Harrow International School, Bangkok, between 24th and 26th October and there were many familiar faces on show in three days of competitive but above all friendly cricket.
Ten teams took part with teams from Thailand joined by overseas teams who enjoy the three-day format of the competition and want to maintain the friendships built up over the years in Bangkok, Phuket and of course in Chiang Mai.
Many of the players involved are regulars at the San Miguel Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes including of course Michael 'Cat' Maher, Chairman of the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour, and Ian 'Reds' Liddell, Tournament Director. It was one of the great moments of the tournament when Rob Bernard, universally known as Chops, led his wonderfully named Beer Battered Seadogs to victory in the Plate competition.
The usual suspects were involved in the optimistically named Chaophya Park All Stars which saw the redoubtable pairing of Walter Persaud and Leigh 'Reject' Whitten teaming up again alongside Locky who was given an unexpected game and even allowed to bowl. Lamma did remarkably well to reach the Cup competition such was their poor performance on a recent tour to Chiang Mai, but Brad Tarr and his team clearly prefer the short format of the came.
Sol Chatterjee, another great supporter of the Sixes in Chiang Mai made a brief appearance but could not compete with the entrance of JD, Jon Danby who had somehow driven himself from Chiang Rai to Soi Cowboy for the Friday evening and was still standing the next day. The photograph on facebook of his Long Island Ice Tea proves he has survived the experience.
The officials' team, possibly one of the most well-travelled ever assembled for a Sixes tournament, was full of familiar faces from the Chiang Mai Sixes with Taran Persaud making an impressive umpiring debut as well as taking his duties as Lanna CC's Social Secretary very seriously as he has a keen eye for a night out.
There was a new winner of the Cup competition as the Lanka Masters lived up to their name and defeated the Mariners in the final. Deposed champions the Lanka Lions had to make up with playing in the Bowl final but left their charge too late and lost narrowly to the Hong Kong Challengers.
The highlight of the day was the Dog Eat Dog contest for the Plate with the Beer Battered Sea Dogs form Scarborough overcoming the Hot Dogs from Shanghai. Perhaps it was appropriate that they should follow Yorkshire CCC's County Championship success with another triumph for the White Rose County.
It was a very enjoyable tournament on the field and off thanks to a rich variety of social events and a very comfortable stay in the Chaophya Park Hotel. There was even time for a social match against the Hong Kong Police and a Rugby Tens competition. Southerners proved great hosts at Harrow International School with Vaughan McClear at the helm although the team could never live up to three impressive victories on the Saturday after the effects of a big night out. It is a familiar story.