There were not enough Cubs available for a rematch this week so it was back to the traditional domestic format with the O-Leangs taking on the Gek Hueys at TSIS Stadium, Bangkok. At this point in the season it is worth thinking back to draft night in January. The O-Leang’s coach Rut raised many eyebrows when he overlooked young gun Hasto for old dog J-Mac but what a pick it ended up being. Rutty, in his 15th domestic season knows that chiselled physiques and athletic performance don’t always win you domestic matches. Its proven performance and consistent attendance that wins out in the long slog that is a domestic season. J-Mac has hardly missed a game and has, as expected, consistently been one of the best on ground. Hasto made a huge impact in those early matches, kicking six goals on debut in domestic zero, but fatherhood has drawn him away from the domestic season, so even the biggest of the Hasto fanboys will have to admit that Rut got that pick spot on. 

Mani, too, was widely questioned when he used his first two draft picks to select both his Mum and his Dad. This has paid dividends off-field for Mani (he now drives around in a late model Honda Civic) however key forward and Mani’s old man, Mark “Big Boy” Saunders is now on crutches with a serious knee injury. Some would argue the drafting of a younger gun may have been a better choice. 

But hindsight is 20-20, as they say. On draft night it was the Gek-Huey’s who were strutting. Looking around they were sure they had the stronger side. Some called it the most one-sided domestic draw they had ever seen. Sometime after Domestic Zero, (details are shady), key forward Welby was given as a free transfer to the O-Leang’s, presumably to balance the sides. The balance was shifted, that is for sure, because against most expectations, the Gek Huey’s have been getting dominated this domestic season.

In Domestic One the O-Leang’s won by a goal. J-Mac kicked five and Welby kicked four in a thrilling match. Domestic Two is lost to history as Head Reporter Skinny was unavailable due to Southerners Rugby representative duties. We believe it was a victory to the O-Leangs. Domestic Three was an O-Leang goal-fest as they smashed the Gek’s by almost one hundred points and Domestic Four was another heavy defeat for the Gek’s.  Would they be able to finally get their season back on track in Domestic Six?*

Unfortunately not. Although the scoreline was respectable, once again the O-Leang’s were just too good, despite another bag of goals from the Gek Huey skipper, Mani. So as the Tigers go into the mid-season break it will be the O-Leang’s, and in particular their skipper, Life Member Rutty, who will be feeling the most satisfied. The Gek Huey’s have the players and have come close to victory several times this season. But they are in a rut, there is no doubt about it. They desperately need to return to winning ways. Unfortunately for them it’s the O-Leang’s who seem to be tracking better in regards to injuries. Big Boy will be out for the season but J-Mac’s finger may be right in a few weeks. Pez’s knee seems good now and Welby’s ribs seem right as rain. 

But let’s set aside the domestic competition for a moment and review the Thailand Tigers season so far, and what an outstanding one it’s been. The Tigers have played four international matches already this year and have only been defeated once. That loss was to the 2023 Division One Asian Champs finalists Indonesia, and gee, the Tigers stood strong against them, especially in the first half. They have picked up a couple of star players, namely Hasto and Spokey, and all around the squad we have witnessed the development of the playing group. Kai is now a gun, Mani is kicking a bag of goals a week and the Tigers have found another quality ruckman in the form of gentle giant Jayden. Nam shows his quality no matter where on the park he plays and the return of Pez has really strengthened the Tigers midfield. And let’s not forget the rise and rise of the Cubs, who have shown they can match it with the senior players. 

A final few lines must be given to the huge contribution Lleyton has made to the Tigers. There was real concern that we wouldn’t have an umpire this season, when veteran umpire Squid moved out of town. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes Lleyton arrived in town, whistle in hand, umpire’s uniform neatly folded in his kit bag, wandering the streets looking for marks to pay. And then we also picked up Ge-off to help set up the ground!

The Tigers will rest for a few weeks now, satisfied with their progress this season but hungry still for that silverware that has eluded them so far. Come on, Tigers, bring on the Asian Champs!

*Domestic Five was Cubs vs Tigers

Match Summary

The O-Leangs 11-8-74 defeated the Gek Hueys 9-10-64
Goals O-Leangs Welby: 6 Pez: 2 Kai: 2 Khengy: 1	Goals Gek Hueys Mani: 4 Tle: 2 Frankie: 2 Nam: 1