PGS’s All-Star cricket team battled to a high scoring draw in blustery conditions at the Trigg Oval to successfully retain the Beach Cricket trophy for another year. Despite a vastly improved performance by a youthful (compared to the author) ConocoPhillips (CoP) side they were unable to defend their score at the 17th annual Beach Cricket Cup held at Trigg Beach on 24 November , 2006.

In an early sea-breeze, CoP amassed a record high 103 runs from their allotted overs with Greg Thiesfield (28), Bruce Beer (24) and Igor Jacimovic (22) regularly depositing the ball over the pavilion and deep into the sand-dunes. With a score over 200 beckoning the runs suddenly dried up with Graham Pound of PGS proving particularly frugal in taking five CoP wickets for the addition of just one run. Nonetheless a score of 103 looked to be beyond the reach of the PGS All-Stars.

Whilst the All-Stars started slowly they gradually found their stride against the unorthodox CoP baseball-style bowling attack. Carlo Bevilaqua starred with a blistering 26 and with one over to go the PGS team were several runs in front. Sadly wickets tumbled in the last over (pity Steve Harmison of England wasn’t bowling) and the game finished in a creditable draw.

The teams and supporters then adjourned to the Trigg Life Saving Club where food and drink flowed freely. Many thanks to the management of ConocoPhillips and PGS for sponsoring this event and to Brian Wickins, of RESolutions, for being the official photographer.

As is customary CoP issued a challenge to PGS for 2007 so the tradition will live on! Several players were singled out for their contributions to the game as follows: