The Scrubbers scored 78 in their innings and then limited the Taipans to 75. Hollioake's team the Mollamarra Turf Cricket Club from Perth in Western Australia, where both former Test players call home these days, were next up and took on Malaysian side the Kelawar Cricket Club in a high-scoring game.

The former England player looked just a touch rusty with the bat, but still managed some big hits on the small ground at Karon Stadium as his side knocked up a winning 91 runs against the Malaysians' 80.

The round robin matches continued yesterday with 14 games squeezed into a tight schedule. Most players arrived at the ground dripping wet after being ambushed by the many people celebrating the Songkran Festival along the beachfront on the southern tip of Phuket.

One group who managed to remain wet inside as well as out were the Wild Men From Borneo, who had big helpings of their home-made "jungle juice" before taking the field. Unfortunately, the Wild Men From Borneo had to face the Formosa Spartans in the first of their two matches yesterday, and it proved to be a sobering experience.

The Formosa team, made up of Aussies based in Taiwan, scored a big total of 102, while the Wild Men could only manage 73.

Hong Kong team Lamma Cricket Club fielded two women players in their side and did very well, scoring 79 to defeat the Perth Postels, who only had 71 at the end of their innings. The two women play regularly in Hong Kong's women's league, which this year has five teams, and their experience showed yesterday.

Defending champions the Corner Tigers from Pakistan played some high quality cricket in their game against Australian team Applecross. Cricket equipment maker Imran was outstanding with both bat and ball for the Corner Tigers and at one stage was on a hat-trick.

In one of the most exciting matches of the day, Imran took two wickets for only two runs with his bowling, then went on to score an unbeaten 33 retired with the bat. In the end the Corner Tigers were too good for Applecross with 63 runs against 57.

The highest score of the day came from the Guwahati Town Cricket Club, who knocked up 114 in their win over the wonderfully-named Bounty Buccaneers Drinking Cricket Team, who scored 64 in reply. There was also a big cheer at the stadium for tournament official Brad Tarr, who took two great catches - but as a spectator in the stands.

A welcome party was held last night for the 28 teams in the tournament at the Green Man Pub and Restaurant.

 A total of 17 matches are due to be played today at Karon Stadium as the last of the round robin games are held. Admission to the ground is free. For more information, see www.phuketsixes.com.

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation

Phuket