Royal Bankok to take on Southerners in Thailand final
Tony Munro - 21 May 1999

The end to a forgettable Thailand Cricket League season finally occurs this weekend with an anti-climactic final in the 50-over competition between the league's two top clubs, Royal Bangkok Sports Club and Southerners at the Dusit Polo Resort Ground in Hua Hin.

Atypical of the season, the two scheduled semi-finals were cancelled due to the early arrival of the wet season. This follows a disrupted start to the season due to the Asian and Fespic Games in Bangkok in late 1998 hindering ground availability

Meanwhile, Thailand's 25-over specialists, the Young Thai Sikhs, coasted to consecutive TCL premierships with a five wicket win over Jogani in Sunday's final at the Dusit Polo Resort Ground.

"Vicky" (5-2), "Arvinder" (14-2), "Doug" (17-2) and "Sam" (15-2), shone for YTSA with the ball, before the YTSA batsmen belted the side to victory inside 15 overs, losing five wickets along the way. "Sanjay" (9-2) led the comeback for Jogani with the ball

The Young Thai Sikhs qualified for the final with an impressive seven wicket win over Hua Hin in Saturday week's semi-final. Having allowed the home side to reach 93-1 after only 11 overs, thanks to an attacking 38 from Imran, YTSA then fought back to restrict Hua Hin to 163-7 off their 25 overs. Left-arm spinner "Sam" (20-4), was again the pick of YTSA's bowlers, along with "Vinod" (28-2).

YTSA's enigmatic captain, Raja (50 retired), with help from Rajan (34) and Charan (31) then helped the defending premier to victory with an over to spare.

Although Jogani's season ended in disappointment, the club's exciting semi-final win over minor premier, Thai Indian Sports Club, was a highlight of the weekend's cricket.

Chasing TISC's modest total of 97, Jogani slumped to 60-8 after 17 overs before the club's youngest player, Hernant Dirai, strode to the crease. Hernant (22 n.o.), supported by number 11, Virat, hit two sixes and two fours in the final overs to secure Jogani a place in the final.