This month's sports news.

Cricket - 2006 Sixes - The Different Year of Strategy

There was a certain feeling in the air as the 11th Hua Hin Sixes was approaching. Something was different; maybe it was the barometric pressure as two months of rain continued, almost weekly, to unseasonably flood the lowlands and waterfront during the "dry season" in this lovely fishing-town-turned-international-resort. Maybe it was the fact that the infamous Hua Hin Hop-A-Longs were scattered. After ten years of constant fine tuning, the unselfishness of this fabulous game we call Cricket made Colin (getting Funkier by the year) Devonshire and his trusty youth cricket assistant coach, Mick Wittering (you owe me Mick I sat beside you and kept quiet almost 50,.. well say 40 per cent of the time and you hardly bought me a drink, paybacks are tough), take this team, a finely tuned chronometer, and turn it into three teams to try and give everyone who wanted to participate a chance to have a bowl and a knock.

Now if things weren't quite "different", as I said earlier, they would have loaded up one team with all the vets and ringers (Colin was one of the first to ever play in the Sixes and is a wicket-keeper extraordinaire). As I said, things were different, they decided to get commitments from all the "players” in town, and then created three equal teams of "old farts" (that is a plagiarism from Roger "Old Crutch" Crutchley who claims to be one of the best (experienced) old farts. We missed him as an anchor to the stability of this event, but even the Sports Editor of "The Post" has to work and "The China Masters" was his office instead of Billy's, Bernie's, Crawford's and The Jungle Juice, it's a tough life for an old fart but someone has to do it). The teams that Mick and Colin created were by a draft-semi-quasi-equitable dispersion of all the folks over 35 years old. I think somebody got it a bit off as the numbers may have been reversed because I saw a big bunch of the 53 types, myself included. I know I must have ended up on team 3 as I am assured that nobody would dare to pick an American, even one from California, onto their team and admit it. So I was the last guy "you got to take him" result of this unselfish destruction of what probably was destined to be the keenest, sharpest, most improved and potentially "trophy taking" local team. So folks, that is what I will use to introduce you to this year's Hua Hin Cricket Sixes, the year of something just a little bit "different". Your favourite "home-town" Hop-A-Longs had been scattered like Thompson Gazelle on the Masai Mara when the lions move in for the attack.

Tell me if this isn't cricket at it's most riveting and exciting? Believe it or not, there is more!

Things were “different"; the early unseasonable rains had the hills and mountains from the beach of Hua Hin to the Myanmar (Burma if you wish, or Pahmah, as we say) border and beyond exploding with fragrant flowers and lush new growth. It was quite a contrast to a drier countryside that was the result of an enduring year and a half drought that greeted everyone at the Sixes just a year earlier. Gary Chatfield, president of The Siam Cricket Club, volunteered his time, equipment and staff to transport some first class tri and/or five-plex diesel mowers from his Global Turf (the name says it all) business in Bangkok to The Dusit Resort Hua Hin. When people arrived for the first day they finally had to admit that the pitch had been transformed into something that was close to equalling the standard that The Dusit organization has been able to maintain throughout the Far East and beyond. The "World Class" events that they entertain and facilitate make them a standard that leaves nothing to be wanted. Miss Universe was staged at their Bangkok Hotel recently. When the world's leaders, international stars and others who are knowledgeable and experienced, travel throughout Asia and the Middle East they know The Dusit is the standard, sometimes closely matched, but never equalled throughout the world.

Simon Burgess is the manager of The Dusit Resort and had the simple task that he had most capably assumed the previous year, to entertain the 100's of people who travel from around the globe for a week of first class cricket. He managed it to perfection. Perfect is an easy thing to accomplish because it is simple to know the standard of service required. It is even simpler to know when that standard is not attained. Perfection is so simple that when everything is said and done, you and everybody know what he expects and requires, and as simple as it may be for him and his staff, you are often fooled by what may have been perceived as simplicity. Everybody knows perfection is seldom attained though constantly desired. So there's one thing that wasn't and hasn't been "different" for the last 11 years and that is the standard that most people don't get a chance to enjoy often enough, the standard that the Dusit Resort has provided for this lovely event for more than a decade. People constantly walk away, year after year, and just "simply" say "It was Perfect!" It is like everyone just expecting Ponting to hit a ton every time he steps into the crease, the only thing "different' is that you know The Dusit hits "tons" daily. It is the sum total of an excellent management, staff and an enduring tradition to be the best. Ponting come on by when you get to be an "old fart", or sooner, but if I were captain with first choice I'd take Funky any day, any way, as I believe green hair is best but blue is always acceptable.

Hua Hin Darts

Congratulations to Bamboo Grove on winning the League

Congratulations to The Road Hole on winning the Cup

It was a close fought battle between Bamboo Grove and The Road Hole going to the last singles match to decide the winner.

The top 16 for the season were :

The presentation night in the Road Hole was well supported by all teams and saw the semi final and final of the Top 16. The semi finals were between Terry (DO) and Noi (JB), and, Barry (RH) and Anna (JW), the final was between Noi and Barry, which was a great game needing all five legs to decide the winner who was Barry from The Road Hole. Afterwards was the presentation of the trophies.

League Winners: Bamboo Grove

League runners Up: The Road Hole

Cup Winners: The Road Hole

Cup runners up: Bamboo Grove

Top 16 Winner: Barry Moore

Top 16 runner up: Noi

Hua Hin Pool League

With the regular league season for the Premier and Championship Leagues due to end on 3 rd May, and for the Fun League on 31 st May, there is some crucial matches still to be played. In the Premiership the race for the title seems to be between SugarCane and Lucky Shot, and it looks as if two of the bottom three teams will be relegated, with U-Turn needing results to go their way to have any chance of survival.

In the Championship it seems that any of the top four can go up and any of the bottom four can go down. The Fun League still has eight or nine matches left to play so is wide open, but the top five have a massive advantage over the rest.

The Cup and Shield have reached the Quarter Final stage (matches to be played starting 8 th May), with the draw shown below, and these as well as the Semi Finals will be played over two legs during May.

The individuals tables can still change considerably, but once they are finalised the competition will take place in June, scheduled to finish on June 19 th .

For any further or more up to date information, please contact one of the organisers, Chris at Sugar Cane, or visit the website at http://huahinpool.multiservers.com

Fixtures for May

Premier

Championship

Fun League

Individual rankings (shaded areas automatically qualify for end of season competition)

Hua Hin Hash House Harriers

The 67th run of the H2H3 happened on the 1st of April and, aware of the tomfoolery we normally experience on the Hash, I fully expected some trickery. I don't know who it was who arranged for the deluge that coincided with the start of the run but whoever, well done. The trail had been made by Old MacDonald (now departed to cold climes for the next six months) Long Ron and Ballbanger. It was a live hare run and the pack set off in fine style but within half a K the trail had disappeared completely. After much circling and cursing we decided that it was either a sad April fool or the rain had washed the trail away completely, not impossible as the tracks had turned to fast flowing little streams, so we decided the only option was to return to base. Surprise, surprise, after 5 or 6 hundred metres we found the trail and set off, when we came to where it forked for the walkers or runners and some of the runners, shame shame, decided to become walkers (a serious offence, but somehow this vile crime escaped the attentions of Ballbanger and they escaped punishment in spite of my attempts to stoolie) so there were only four runners left, with me (69 forever) taking up my usual position of trailing half a K behind. If we get a slower runner than me I am going to feel miffed about it. Anyway, we duly arrived back and the first runner was visiting hasher, Table Breaker, from the Pattaya chapter (the Hells Angels have nothing on us) though not having come anywhere near to catching the hares - and enjoyed the much needed beer even more than usual. The time on my stopwatch indicated 90 odd minutes which made it by far the longest hash I have been on. We had the usual abusive Down Down and then the OnOn was arranged at the Kiwi Bar hosted by the hasher Inthebum who had organised ample food for all, well cooked and well served, but Inthebum used this as a weak excuse for dodging the column, serious abuse for her in future hashes no doubt. The next H2H3 will be on the15th to be hared by Yoki and Merry CanCan, assist from Rolo. On On

Premier League May Fixtures

Monday, 01 May 2006

Man Utd v Middlesbrough , 20:00

Sunderland v Arsenal, 17:15 ESPN

West Brom v West Ham, 20:00 ESPN

Tuesday, 02 May 2006

Blackburn v Chelsea , 20:00 ESPN

Wednesday, 03 May 2006

Bolton v Middlesbrough , 20:00

Thursday, 04 May 2006

Man City v Arsenal, 19:45 ESPN

Sunday, 07 May 2006

Arsenal v Wigan , 15:00

Aston Villa v Sunderland , 15:00

Blackburn v Man City , 15:00

Bolton v Birmingham , 15:00

Everton v West Brom , 15:00

Fulham v Middlesbrough , 15:00

Man Utd v Charlton, 15:00

Newcastle v Chelsea , 15:00

Portsmouth v Liverpool , 15:00

West Ham v Tottenham, 15:00

Wednesday, 10 May 2006

UEFA Cup Final, 19:45 ESPN

Saturday, 13 May 2006

F.A. Cup Final, 15:00 STAR

Wednesday, 17 May 2006

Champions League Final, 19:45 ESPN

Tennis

New Balls Please!

Yes, the tennis season is well and truly underway, with the next few months featuring the remaining Grand Slam tournaments. The big question in the men's game is who can stop the Federer Express, while in the women's rankings there is no clear favourite with several strong players, and the return of Martina Hingis certain to upset a few top ranking players. The apparent return to form of Paradorn Srishipan augurs well for Thai tennis, as well as their performances in the Davis and Federations Cup. Watch this space!

Australian open review

Roger Federer overcame a mighty scare to beat unseeded 20-year-old Marcos Baghdatis and claim his second Australian Open title in Melbourne. The world number one was in serious trouble at a set and a break down but held his nerve. He reeled off 11 games as Baghdatis tired, and the Cypriot needed treatment on his calf in the closing set. Federer, however, got stronger as the match went on, winning 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 for his seventh Grand Slam title.

As the world number 54 and playing far and away the biggest match of his career, Baghdatis was a huge outsider against a man who had never lost a Grand Slam final. But the Cypriot had seen off Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and David Nalbandian on his way to the final and was not short on confidence.

In the women's final Amelie Mauresmo finally claimed her first Grand Slam title when Justine Henin-Hardenne was forced to retire when Mauresmo was leading 6-1 2-0. Henin-Hardenne told the umpire she could not continue as she complained of having “no energy” and later explained that the problem was a stomach upset. But the manner of the victory did not take away from the magnitude of the achievement for a woman who had waited since losing the 1999 Melbourne final for another chance at a Grand Slam title.

THAI TENNIS TOP MEN'S PLAYERS

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN

Date of Birth 14 Jun 1979

Place of Birth Bangkok, Thailand

Height 1.85m

Weight 81kg

Handed Right Handed

Singles Ranking 38

Doubles Ranking 165

DANAI UDOMCHOKE

Date of Birth 11 Aug 1981

Place of Birth Bangkok, Thailand

Height 1.73m

Weight 69kg

Handed Right Handed

Singles Ranking 114

Doubles Ranking 285

THAI TENNIS TOP WOMEN'S PLAYERS

TAMARINE TANASUGARN

Date of Birth 24 May 1977

Place of Birth Los Angeles, CA, USA

Height 1.65m

Weight 63kg

Handed Right Handed (Double

Handed Backhand)

Singles Ranking 152

Doubles Ranking 120

SUCHANUN VIRATPRASERT

Date of Birth 01 Jan 1983

Place of Birth n/a

Height n/a

Weight n/a

Handed Right Handed (Double Handed Backhand)

Singles Ranking 190

Doubles Ranking 987

World Cup Qualifiers - Favourites

Germany (Group A) MEIN HOSTS

Fixtures:

Fri 9 June (17:00): Germany v Costa Rica (Munich)

Wed 14 June (20:00): Germany v Poland (Dortmund)

Tue 20 June (15:00): Ecuador v Germany (Berlin)

Manager/Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann, a World Cup winner with West Germany as a player in 1990, was appointed in July 2004 following Rudi Voeller's resignation. With no qualification route to negotiate, Klinsmann has very little competitive experience and has yet to win over his critics.

Key Players: Captain Michael Ballack is the embodiment of all things good about German football. Yet opinion in his home country seems oddly divided over whether he is over-rated. He is perhaps Germany's only truly world-class player and almost single-handedly took an average German team to the 2002 final. Can he inspire again?

Assessment: Qualified as hosts, which could well be their downfall, as expectations will be sky high while his team have had few competitive matches for two years. They are three-time winners - in 1954, 1974 and 1990 as West Germany and have reached the final six times in the last 10 tournaments, so only a fool would write them off. However the 4-1 loss to Italy in their last friendly has sounded alarm bells. Klinsmann has attempted a revolution, sending out his team with instructions to play a “fast-paced, attacking and very aggressive” style of game, which has significantly improved their goal tally, but the downside of this strategy - along with his use of inexperienced defenders - is that Germany have recently been conceding almost as many goals as they have been scoring.

Brazil (Group F) CUP HOLDERS

Fixtures:

Tue 13 June (20:00):

Brazil v Croatia (Berlin)

Sun 18 June (17:00):

Brazil v Australia (Munich)

Thu 22 June (20:00):

Japan v Brazil (Dortmund)

Manager/Coach: The vastly experienced Carlos Alberto Parreira. Ended the long drought when he took Brazil to victory in USA 94, and was on the coaching staff as far back as 1970. Has led four different teams to the finals - Kuwait (1982), UAE (1990), Brazil (1994) and Saudi Arabia (1998).

Key Players: Ageless right back and captain Cafu is an example of dedication and perseverance. The only man to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals. Can he make it four?

With 10 goals Ronaldo was the continent's top scorer in qualification. Against Argentina in 2004 he looked like a creature from another planet when he won - and scored from - three penalties.

Ronaldinho, Adriano, Kaka, and Robinho - their attacking resources stand comparison with anything they have had in their glorious history - frightening.

Assessment: Cruised comfortably through qualification, only beaten twice in 18 games and pipping Argentina to first place in the group table. Their record in the World Cup is unmatched - five times winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002), twice runners-up (1950 and 1998), the reigning champions and the only country to have appeared in every World Cup. In short, the guv'nors. They have unparalleled individual ability, and all of their stars are used to the big occasion, plus their superb physical preparation that set them apart in 2002. Their only real weaknesses are occasional defensive problems in the air - despite the height of their centre-backs - and a vulnerability in the space behind the fullbacks. The expectation will again be for them to win, and they do have the ability to do so, but only one team outside of Europe has ever won the World Cup there, which was, of course, Brazil back in 1958. We think they will reach the semi finals but no further, and show us how the beautiful game should be played along the way.

France (Group G) SUBLIME OLDGUARD

Fixtures:

Tue 13 June (17:00): France v Switzerland (Stuttgart)

Sun 18 June (20:00): France v South Korea (Leipzig)

Fri 23 June (15:00): Togo v France (Cologne)

Manager/Coach: Raymond Domenech succeeded Jacques Santini after Euro 2004. Yet to properly stamp his authority on the side, Domenech is caught between two generations of French footballers.

Key Players: Captain Zinedine Zidane. The midfield maestro came out of retirement in August 2005 and helped them reach Germany after a shaky start. But is he good enough to replicate the feats of 1998?

With va-va-voom in abundance it is difficult to look beyond Thierry Henry. The Arsenal striker has yet to really shine in a major tournament and Germany could be his stage.

Assessment: Qualified at the top of their group but were not completely convincing, with draws against Israel and Switzerland twice and one against the Republic of Ireland. Famously won the cup in Paris in 1998, and have reached the semis three times in 1958, 1982 and 1986, but it seems that this might be the last hurrah for players like Zidane, Thuram and Makalele who all came out of retirement to ensure France qualified for the tournament. France had a miserable tournament in 2002, as they failed to score a single goal and lost to Senegal and Denmark, and followed it up with a relatively poor Euro 2004. Turning to ageing players suggests the golden era of French football is over, though they still have a sizeable pool of talent to select from. We think the old guard have enough in them to drag them to the quarterfinals, but no further.

England (Group B)

YOUTH & DEPTH

Fixtures:

Sat 10 June (14:00):

England v Paraguay (Frankfurt)

Thu 15 June (17:00):

England v Trin.& Tobago (Nuremberg)

Tue 20 June (20:00):

Sweden v England (Cologne)

Manager/Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson. An urbane, Swedish sophisticate with an ice-cool footballing brain when he took the job on in January 2001. Times, and opinions, however, have changed.

Key Players: Captain David Beckham. Clothes horse, gay icon, pop-star husband... oh, and a multi-million pound galactico with a golden right-foot who likes nothing better than delivering on the biggest stage.

Wayne Rooney. Young and extravagantly gifted, but his Achilles heel is a suspect temperament which will undoubtedly be tested by wily defenders at this level. England's youngest-ever player when he made his debut aged 17.

Frank Lampard has been outstanding for Chelsea in the last couple of seasons, but has not yet really shown the same form for England, partially because it appears that he and Steven Gerrard find it difficult to play together.

Assessment: Eventually qualified by topping the group but made it hard for themselves. The draw has been kind, although yet again finding their new ‘old enemy' Sweden to overcome. With Eriksson already having announced his decision to leave after the finals he is in a no lose situation really, and it will be the players that have everything to win or lose. There is enough ability in the squad to win the whole tournament, but the recent poor performances at club level by the normal central defensive pairing (Ferdinand and Campbell), combined with the long term injury to Ashley Cole has put the defence under scrutiny. The attack is also an area of doubt with Michael Owen currently injured, and even if he wasn't, some doubt as to whether a partnership with Wayne Rooney would work. Most people do not think that Peter Crouch is the answer at this level either but Eriksson is known for going with his favourites and a tried and tested formation, and not for taking a chance. We hope that he has learned from his mistakes and does become more adventurous in his final fling; if he does, England are our tips to win the trophy.

Italy (Group E)

THE UNPREDICTABLE

Fixtures:

Mon 12 June (14:00): Italy v Ghana (Hanover)

Sat 17 June (17:00): Italy v USA (Kaiserslautern)

Thu 22 June (15:00): Czech Republic v Italy (Hamburg)

Manager/Coach: Former Juventus coach Marcello Lippi took over after Giovanni Trapattoni's contract was not renewed following their early exit from Euro 2004. Will be looking to add a World Cup to his impressive CV that already boasts five Serie A titles and a Champions League trophy with Juve.

Key Players: The 32-year-old Juventus defender and captain Fabio Cannavaro will be playing in his third finals. He missed their embarrassing defeat to South Korea in 2002 due to suspension.

Fiorentina's Luca Toni got better and better and his goals proved crucial to their qualifying.

Christian Vieri, Francesco Totti and Alessandro del Piero are all experienced and will want to put the poor 2002 Finals and Euro 2004 performances behind them.

Assessment: They were solid rather than spectacular in qualifying. They topped their group by five points but they had some nervous moments along the way, including an early loss to Slovenia and some unconvincing displays in a relatively weak group. The Azzurri are one of the sides who go into each tournament as a candidate to win. Have made the finals 15 times and won the World Cup three times (1934, 1938 and 1982). As ever the defence is watertight, while probably only Brazil can match their strength in depth in attack. However with so many options the biggest problem for Lippi will be finding the right combination up front and keeping everyone happy - in particular the established names. Lippi has the necessary experience to do this, and our prediction is that he will take them to the final.

Argentina (Group C) BAD BOYS COME GOOD

Fixtures:

Sat 10 June (20:00): Argentina v Ivory Coast (Hamburg)

Fri 16 June (14:00): Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro (Gelsenkirchen)

Wed 21 June (15:00): Holland v Argentina (Frankfurt)

Manager: Jose Pekerman. Has a magnificent record developing young players, taking Argentina to victory in the World Youth Cups of 1995, 1997 and 2001. Can he do it at senior level?

Key Players: Captain Juan Pablo Sorin, a scampering figure down the left flank. He was Pekerman's skipper 10 years ago in the World Youth Cup. Some believe, though, that the armband should go back to defender Roberto Ayala.

Juan Roman Riquelme. Their elegant playmaker, with his subtle, cunning passing and his ability to dictate the rhythm of the game. There are very high hopes, too, of Barcelona's teenage sensation Lionel Messi.

Assessment: They were the first South American side to book their place, eventually finishing second to Brazil on goal difference. Twice champions (1978 and 1986) and twice runners-up (1930 and 1990), they are on their way to their 14th World Cup - they are one of the big guns of the global game. No other side in the world can match their midfield inter-passing. They also have impressive strength in depth in most positions. There is an over-dependence on Riquelme, who can blow hot and cold. Pekerman has yet to find his ideal line-up or define his system, and he must be concerned by the lack of a top-class keeper. All of this, combined with the really tough group they have to qualify from, makes us believe that they will not get through to the knockout stage, losing out to Holland and the Ivory Coast. In addition, they have yet to get past the quarterfinals in the post-Maradona era, but nonetheless they are likely to play some wonderfully attractive stuff.

Features

this month

regulars

stories

free ads

sports

golf

funnies

info

back issues