Pacific – Lost by 5 wickets

Grace’s batting comes unstuck!

Match report 27th July 2014 V Pacific CC at Greenford

After winning the toss on another lovely afternoon at Greenford skipper Dom had no hesitation batting first on the back of our winning run. Our visitors, Pacific, are one of our oldest regular opponents and are always a handful.

Today was no exception as their opening bowlers , Gleadow & Bridgett, proceeded to give an exhibition of both line , length and also prodigious swing. Grace’s opening batsmen Dom & Leo found the going tough with Leo being caught behind in the second over for a single. Sam then joined Dom – the bowling was relentless with loose balls sadly lacking. This pair took the score to 8 off 11 overs (the watching Grace’s showing restrain in their patience!) before Sam was caught for 2. It all happened in the 13th over with 3 wickets falling, first Niroshan being bowled for 3 Mahender caught behind and then Newton bowled off the next ball to leave Grace’s in all kinds of trouble at 12 for 5!

Jonners then joined Dom , managing to survive the hat trick ball. Reaching 40 overs seemed a long way off with the heart ripped out of the batting. Sticking around is one thing Dom & Jonners can do and so they set about trying to salvage the innings. With survival being key, few risks were taken with the opening bowlers finally being seen off in the 16th over with the score at only 17.

The change bowlers, although not as dangerous as the openers, kept the pressure on – Dom was finally out stumped for 14 in the 24th over with the score at 35. Scott then came in and after getting his eye in took the attack to the bowlers with some nicely timed leg side shots including 2 sweetly struck sixes. This partnership added 45 for the 6th wicket , Jonners finally bowled for 16 trying to push the score along – 80 for 7 in the 35th over.

Anosh came in and played his usual attacking style for a quick 17. Mamun was stumped leaving Sid to score his first ever run for Grace’s before Scott skied one to midwicket for a fine 38. So 101 all out in the 40th over. A total that looked at least 50 short of being defendable. After being 12 for 5 it was at least something to bowl at. The strip showed some worrying signs of inconsistency with both excessive bounce and shooters at the same end – certainly less true than previous seasons.

This at least gave us some hope after tea as Dom mixed things up with Anosh and Newton opening the bowling. This paid dividends as Pacific were soon 4 for 2 with a wicket each for the bowlers. When Mahender took a quite astonishing one handed diving catch to dismiss Steve Lay, the number 3, Grace’s tails were up. However the visitors’ skipper,Toby, immediately showed his intent to be positive with some attacking shots. Ably supported by Keiron Mullins, the number 5, Toby continued his aggression with 50 coming up in the 14th over. Mamun continued his outstanding bowling this season with 2 quick wickets but it was too late as the skipper finished with 64 not out bringing up the winning runs in the 24th over.

So a defeat by 5 wickets. After the game drinks were shared with the ever friendly Pacific in the bar – We’ll have revenge next season!