By Andrew Mcmillan
Fresh off an upset victory against top of the ladder Patong, the Village were looking to climb higher up the ladder with a win against a TCT side that was yet to find form with the bat or ball.
The Village's Mike Khan and Martin Platts were slow to get going as they batted first. TCT's Sam Ali dismissed Platts and then Pir with successive deliveries as the Village found themselves 2/12 from 6 overs. Syed Shahnaz joined Khan out in the middle and they guided their side to 2/23 at the first drink break.
TCT's skipper Bill 'Steamboat' Stahmer had Khan out LBW on the 2nd ball following the break. Mark Ashman came to the crease and the small ACG crowd saw their first attacking shots of the morning. In the next 7 overs the Village lifted their score to 61 runs before the introduction of Thai youngster 'Paan' saw the end of Ashman, bowled for 18 runs from 23 balls. The Village were 4/66 after 20 overs.
Paan continued to provide chances for TCT with 3 close LBW appeals and a number of balls that narrowly missed the edge of the bat. In the 28th over he got a ball to jump off a good length and catch a glove on its way through to the wicket keeper. The Village were 5/103 at the third drink break with Shahnaz still at the crease on 37 not out.
The final 10 overs of the Village's innings begun with TCT all-rounder Justin Thomatos having his first bowl of the season. His over included 3 wides, 1 run and more notably 2 Village wickets including the Village captain Rehman. The Villagers managed to face out another 6 overs and bring their total up to 132 before a running mix up ended the 37.2 over innings. Syed Shahnaz was the top scorer with 47 (83). Best with the ball for TCT was Neil Culpan with his two late wickets giving him the great figures of 2/5 from 7 overs including 2 wides and 4 maiden overs.
TCT required 133 to take a first innings points win and for the first time this season Justin Thomatos and Andrew McMillan paired up in the middle. The dynamic duo took a liking to the Village bowlers and posted 0/88 off the first 10 overs.
After a break, TCT's McMillan was in rare form hitting numerous boundaries around the ACG. The Village' captain Mudasir Rehman couldn't find a wicket or slow down the TCT opening pair. Just before the 20 over drinks break McMillan lofted Platts down the ground to reach his maiden century at the Alan Cooke Ground. TCT went to the 20 over break at 0/173, already with a lead of 41 runs with McMillan 105*(78) and Thomatos 45*(42).
Neil Culpan came out to replace the retired McMillan after the break and continued to keep the scorers busy as TCT went on the attack. TCT's captain Stahmer declared the innings closed after the 28th over with a lead of 105 runs and 15 overs remaining in the match. TCT's total was 3/237 with Thomatos finishing 81*(68) and Plattsy the only wicket taker with 2/41.
The Village 2nd innings was a non affair with Mike Khan and Syed Shahnaz keeping their wickets intact early. After seeing off Neil Culpan the field was spread and the Village used the remaining overs to get in some batting practice. Mike Khan finished 17 not out in the total of 3/58. Sam Ali picked up 2/17 and McMillan grabbed another 2 catches to take his tally to 4 catches for the match.
This Sunday's match-up in the the Phuket 40-Over League will see Laguna take on Island Cricket Club at the Alan Cooke Ground, 10am start. For more information, visit phuketcricketgroup.com.