Lamma CC from Hong Kong were welcome visitors for a weekend of cricket and socialising and the 35-over match played at the David Buck Oval at Prem International School proved to be a highly competitive encounter as both sides scored more than 200 runs and Lanna finished the victors by 18 runs.
Lanna posted a total of 220 for 6 after the Kiwi connection of Cowles and Cardno both contributed unbeaten fifties with almost identical innings of 52. Cardno needed one fewer ball to reach the milestone than his compatriot but Cowles perhaps took the honours by bringing up his half-century with a trio of boundaries from the first three balls after the drinks interval.
Martin Papworth, relieved of his umpiring duties, still managed to play his part as he made a stoic 18 from 42 balls, but was involved in an opening partnership of 76, as he placed the ball well for a sequence of ones and twos. Chris Coombes, a former Lamma player, rolled back the years in a cameo performance at number three but headmaster Hugh Williams took his chance in the middle-order with a well-played 28 from 38 balls.
Thai boys Ton and Sir enjoyed having a bowl for Lamma but it was bowler number nine Duncan McKay who had the best figures with two for 29 as Matt Bray and Elliot Lodge also made runs at the end to ensure Lanna reached an imposing total.
Lamma openers, Duncan McKay and Leigh Powell set off at a cracking pace and Brad Tarr kept the chase on course with 32 from 33 balls. Even with five wickets down. Lamma were still in with a good chance of victory as Craig Davies and Richard Abbott combined with a useful sixth-wicket partnership. The decisive blow was struck by Elliot Lodge when he had Davies lbw for 32, although captain Abbott was able to steer his side close to their target with five fours and a six in his 44. The match went into the last over with Adrian Ballantyne given the last over with 22 runs required with one wicket left but Martin Cardno pulled off a one-handed catch near the sightscreen to give Lanna victory by 18 runs.