The Cricketeers, who were undefeated going into the Cup final against the Ashwell Crusaders from England, made a slow start when they batted first yesterday.

The Crusaders restricted the big-hitting Cricketeers with some very fast, tight bowling early in the innings. But the Cricketeers lashed out and hit some huge sixes in the final two overs as their batsmen, which included former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud Sujan, went on the attack.

After scoring more than 100 in some of their earlier matches, the Cricketeers were restricted to 92 in their innings yesterday.

The Crusaders came out swinging when it was their turn to bat and knocked up 26 in their first two overs.

The Cricketeers, however, who hadn't shone in the bowling department in earlier matches, took four quick wickets to slow the run rate and take the title by more than 30 runs.

The Shield final was a match of attrition between the Shanghai Dragons from China and the Bahrain-based Awali Taverners.

The Dragons were on fire and scored a fighting 86 for one in their innings.

In reply the Taverners managed only 62 for no wicket and fell well short of their target.

In the Bowl final, the Lords Taverners faced the Marchwiel Outlaws. The UK-based Outlaws batted first and scored a respectable 77 against the Perth-based Taverners.

The Taverners then struggled in their innings after losing two wickets against some tight bowling and sharp fielding by the boys from north Wales.

The Outlaws restricted the Taverners to 52 to claim the Bowl title. The Plate final was a slightly slower-paced affair between New Zealand's Taranaki Taverners and Almar from the South Africa.

Almar batted first and faced some loose bowling early in the innings to knock up a healthy 88.

In replay the Kiwis started strongly but fell short with only 84 despite some desperate batting in the final over.

In the final game of the day the undefeated Camel Bar Humps from Thailand's Eastern Seaboard took on English side the Armadillos in the Spoon final as a big storm circled the ground and strong winds whipped up a dust storm.

In fading light the Camel Bar Humps scored a respectable 58 for four in difficult conditions.

As the lights went on around the ground and light rain began to fall, the Armadillos dug in and scored the winning runs with an over to spare.A gala dinner and prize presentation was held in the grounds of the 108-year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club last night followed by an auction of sporting memorabilia with the proceeds going to the development of junior cricket in Thailand.

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation

Chiang Mai