Calcutta Cricket & Football Club wins Cup at Phuket International Cricket Sixes

The Calcutta Cricket & Football Club (CCFC) produced a sixes masterclass at Karon Stadium on Sunday as all opposition was ruthlessly swept aside in the Bengali quest for the Cup on Finals Day of the Phuket International Cricket Sixes.

First in the Calcutta firing line, in the first match of the day, were the Liquid Lounge Lizards from Phuket with each team vying for a place in the Cup semi finals. Needing a win and at least 82 runs to qualify for the semis on run rate, a Calcutta blitzkrieg ensued as the Lizards bowlers were blasted to all parts of the ground with the CCFC posting 112 the highest total of the tournament at that time. The Lizards gave the chase their best shot in reply but fell well short of the target.

Last year's finalists the Leeming Spartans, under inspirational captain Brad Mant, were next for Calcutta in the Cup semi final. The Spartans put on a reasonable 74 runs in their innings, but Calcutta knocked them off with 5 balls to spare, Aman Sodhi retiring for Calcutta on 35.

In the other Cup semi final Etihad, who had an excellent Day 3 of the tournament, continued their good form by downing the Bahrain Camels. Bahrain has registered 71 runs in their innings with Sanjay and Sreekanth showing good form with the bat with both retiring. But again for Etihad their openers fired, Azam hitting a breezy 21 and Sanket, who was later voted Player of the Tournament, retiring once again on 33 and Etihad strolled to their target with more than an over to spare to set up a juicy Cup final versus Calcutta.

The best was yet to come in the Cup Final for the Calcutta outfit, as they amassed the highest total in the tournament for the second time on the same day, a massive 116 runs from their allotted 5 overs. Both Sourav 'Dolly' Chatterjee and Aman Sondhi retired, Dolly hitting his 32 not out off just 8 balls, with the Etihad bowlers finding no answer to the onslaught. Rajiv Seth also chipped in with 25 runs from 6 balls. In reply the Emirates side put on a respectable 84 runs, Sanket again retiring, but it was well short of the mammoth target and the Calcutta Cricket & Football Club deservedly took the Champions title in front of an appreciative crowd.

In other action, Toorak Prahan CC of Melbourne lifted the Plate trophy in their first appearance in Phuket with a tight victory achieved over a lively Uni Wanderers, also making their debut at the Phuket Sixes. The Wanderers had put on a challenging 81 in their innings but Toorak were just equal to the task taking victory on the last ball.

The Bowl final saw two Phuket Sixes regulars, the Bounty Buccaneers from Malaysia versus those Wild Men From Borneo. The Buccs put on a massive 97 runs helped by a big innings from Dave Nightingale but also an enormous haul of wides sent down wildly by the Borneo men. The Buccs won convincingly as the Wildmen capitulated for just 55 runs in reply, before heading to the solace of their jungle juice stash.

The Spoon final also saw a decisive victory for Guwahati Town from Assam, India over newcomers the Black Swans from Australia. Guwahati posted a hefty 88 runs in their innings which the Swans fell well short of with their 49 runs in reply.

Following the close of play, all of the 23 teams and 30 VIPs and officials attended a sumptuous Gala Awards Dinner at the Hilton Arcadia Hotel.

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