Lanna CC competed in the world famous Chiang Mai Sixes for the third time as the team completed a hat-trick at least of taking part in the event. Lanna had made the most of being able to win a trophy after losing three matches in 2018 as they had finished as champions in the Bowl division but that unexpected success had meant Lanna had kept their place in the Players’ Section despite being much more Gentleman’s calibre.
The top twelve teams in the competition would be competing for the Cup and the Shield so silverware would remain a distant dream for 2019. Lanna would have been pleased with a narrow defeat against capable if geriatric Kiwi side Divine Felons and they took a thrashing from eventual champions NCL Dynamites in good spirits.
Lanna’s third match of the first round came against Darjeeling, one of three teams who have taken part in all 32 editions of the Sixes, so they have a distinguished pedigree in the competition. It was a very competitive match and Lanna were victorious by the narrowest of margins as both sides scored 62 in their five overs only for Lanna to be declared winners by virtue of losing fewer wickets.
Lanna finished third in their group to safely qualify for the Shield but lost their two remaining matches to Australian sides Clifton Hill Stray Cats and Perth Postels. The slammer session following the defeat to Perth Postels took its toll on those involved just as Jon Scales’ party had done earlier in the week but Lanna had once again given their all both on and off the field during an enjoyable week.
Lanna CC squad: (back – l to r) Elliot Lodge, Jon Scales, Richard Cowles, (front l to r) Shine Thomas, Adrian Ballantyne, Richard Young. Russell Ward played in the opening match.