Fudgey

I'm going and have the trip organised and paid for. Probably the hardest part is securing tickets to the match. There are several options I guess including 'who you know'. But I've gone with a bloke in Singapore who is an official agent with the HKRU and I received word just yesterday that my ticket is secured. His contact info if you are interested is [email protected]. His group have a few packages to choose from depending on hotel standard required and include flights on Cathay Pacific out of Singapore. But you can ask for hotel booking (2 nights minimum) + ticket(s) to the match only & sort out your own flight arrangements if you like. You can also ask him to check out staying at a hotel of your choice if you don't want to stay at the ones his group offer. I have to say this is by no means the cheapest option but at least the tickets to the game are in the bag. He told me that after the Aussies bet the Kiwis last week, demand for tickets went through the roof. If the Aussies win later today then no doubt he will be swamped again. Hope this helps. If you need any more info, feel free to PM me. Cheers.

Cricket season in Phuket normally kicks off in January with the Island Furniture Cricket League and runs through to June. This season there were 5 teams from around the island and rumours are there will be 7 for next season. The comp is organised by the Phuket Cricket Union (PCU). www.phuketcricket.com

All teams in the League are always after new 'talent' as well as people with experience as umpires/scorers. The comp is what I would call semi-serious with the whole range of talent on display. Apart from the fun aspect of the game, the League is also used to select a team to represent Phuket at the Thailand Inter-Regional Tournament where we go up against teams from Bangkok, Chiang Mai + Khon Kaen where cricket is also very popular. The Inter-Regional tournament normally takes place in February each year.

Saying all that though we try to play as often as possible, weather permitting. At the moment we play at a ground at a Thai school in the Cherng Talay area every Sunday, again depending on the weather. We also recently constructed a cricket net facility there. We occasionally play at the Karon Stadium where the Phuket Cricket Sixes (www.phuketsixes.com) has been held for the last 5 years and we plan on running a Twenty/20 comp there before the end of the year.

We also plan to go on tour to KL next month to play a couple of teams down there + possibly to Chiang Mai before the end of the year. And next year, apart from the League, the 2009 Phuket Sixes + the Thailand Inter-Regional Tournament to look forward to, it looks like we will have a few teams from Aussie, Malaysia + the UK popping in for a few games and a few beers as well.

If anyone is interested in getting into a local team, feel free to PM else refer to the PCU web-site.

Cheers

Can someone tell me the sports club website located in Rawai please, the one that gives tennis lessons?

http://www.phuketsport.com/

Can anyone recommend a good woodwork contractor? I'm after someone to make some built-in furniture for the house (cabinets, desk, bedroom furniture, etc) & would like to get someone who knows what they're doing. Has anyone had any good experiences with the people out there. Cheers for any recos.

I used to play in a sunday afternoon league in the UK and I can't bear to spend the rest of my life without being able to take my bat in my hand and give those balls a good wallop.

I think you can do this most any day in Patong. Not just Sunday.

Yep, there is cricket in Phuket. We (Phuket Cricket Union or PCU) recently finished our 2nd season of the local League in April. This consists of 4 teams with skill levels that cover the entire spectrum. We also go on tours to other places within Thailand & abroad & also host incoming sides, the next one being a bunch of lads from Zimbabwe who are coming back for the second year in a row. They return in July so weather permitting we'll get a game or 2 with them, else its off to Soi Bangla to talk up what could've been. You have the web-site correct www.phuketcricket.com which is in the middle of being updated/upgraded. If you want more info & to be kept up-to-date with cricket in Phuket, PM me & I'll add you to the PCU e-mail list & let you know the next time we give our balls a good walloping.

Cheers