Toby Chasseaud and Mutz Siddiqui guided Pacific to victory over Highgate Taverners in an exemplary batting display, which saw them register the highest ever batting partnership at the club.

The previous record of 211 – set more than 30 years ago – looked destined to remain unbeaten, after being matched twice in 1997 and 2016. But Saturday’s opening stand of 249 knocks Mark Sams and Steve Lay off the top spot.

While Captain Chasseaud registered his second ton in the space of three weeks, Siddiqui had never passed fifty for the club. But he battled through two nasty blows to the head – buoyed by the support of brother Riz in the crowd – to reach a sublime 124 not out.

The Pacific openers chased down 248 set by the visitors. Early wickets from Stockton, Davis and Hussain, as well as admirable ground fielding from debutant Rob Dinsey and Garrett, restricted Highgate Taverners to just 80 or so off the first 20 overs. But a composed ton from captain Thomas and 50 from Starkings – both eventually removed by Lion Luke Hollman – helped set a formidable 248 target. At the break the neutral would have perhaps thought that the Taverners just had the edge.

But Chasseud and Siddiqui calmly set about their chase, the former caressing it through cover, the latter guiding it through gully. After a sharp short delivery from opener McGuinness ricocheted off Siddiqui’s glove into his cheek bone, it looked as though his innings may come to a premature end. But with a big bruise and a little blood, Siddiqui marched on.

With victory in sight, Siddiqui suffered another hit to the head (someone buy this man a helmet!). He described it as a glancing blow, but the fact it was snaffled by second slip would suggest otherwise. Now looking like Sonny Liston after his bout with Muhammad Ali, remarkably Siddiqui soldiered on to see the team home with nine overs to spare.