Pacific – Lost by 8 wickets

Pacific batting too strong for Grace's

This time last season saw the corresponding weekend's fixture as the 6th to be rained off so it was with joy that the Grace's team , toss won , batted first on the hottest day of the year so far.

The opposition were one of our most established , Pacific CC , who were looking to do the double over us after a close win at their ground in the first game of the season.

After skipper Dom was given LBW , Naroshan joined Stuart and an entertaining 2nd wicket partnership of 50 ensued - Stuart was eventually caught for a breezy 23 and Naroshan went on to make a quick fire 40 - with a bit more application a 50 was there for him!

After Mendis and Simon departed the score stood in the balance at 117 for 5 - Manish joined Noddy and proceeded to accumulate a partnership of 87 from 12 overs - Noddy proceeded to dominate the bowling with some imperious drives and majestic pulls. Manish supported ably finally out for a valuable 27.

Noddy continued his onslaught bringing up a wonderful century - the last over was dispatched for 23! He finished on 117 not out - our total 265 - 7

After a tea break where we saw Andy break his Wimbledon duck at last Grace's took the field looking to avenge our first game defeat.

Pacific had other ideas with their skipper Ben Boorman supported by Ravi Patel immediately taking the attack to our bowling - the first wicket fell at 56 when Ben was caught , this brought their keeper , Sam Gilliat , to the crease and after a cautious start then copied Noddy in showing a range of aggressive shots - anything loose went to the boundary. We had a glimmer of hope when Stuart took a good catch at long off to see Patel back to the pavilion. However , the number 4 bat , Simon Lawrence , showed the same attacking attitude and Pacific were up with the required run rate.

Skipper Dom rotated the bowling but with the wicket playing well and no chances given Gilliat continued to dominate the bowling and brought Pacific home with 3 overs to spare finishing on 112 not out. So we lost by 8 wickets.

Both teams then retired to the bar for some much needed post match refreshment with the friendly Pacific boys

A lot of positives to take from the game - our batting showed some spirit and we didn't give up - credit to Sam Gilliat who batted well for Pacific. 

Congratulations to Anosh who now has 25 wickets for the club.