The Ormo.

Future generations may wonder about the origin story of this mythic prize, even more so as it does not exist in physical form. It is - or originally was - an idea, a theoretical concept, a Herculean endeavor.

At first, some said it would never be done. Some said it was a weight on our collective shoulders. Others said it was a cheeky Yorkshire-born monkey on the club's back. But on Sunday 9th of June 2019, Pacific finally bagged The Ormo!

For those futuristic Pacificos or perhaps future Wisden editors delving back into the dustry annals of cricket history to locate the source of the Ormo, we should explain how it all began.

Well, future beings, settle down in your 4D-printed, temperature-controlled, geo-formed modular iSeat, and I will explain. Don't worry it won't take long and you can read this before series 127 of Love Island kicks off.

The 2018 season was a memorable one for the club in many ways - both good and sad. One of the positives was the phalanx of new players welcomed into the fold. On the cricketing side, there were many brilliant performances but let's say it was not our best season of fielding. One of our new members was John Ormesher. Piqued by some grassed chances (probably off his bowling) and in the middle of a nine-game losing run during the swullocking summer, the fiery Yorkshireman had a bellyful and laid down a challenge to the club. If Pacific could go a whole game without dropping a single catch he would buy a pint for everyone on the team. A pint! Each! Amber nectar! From a Yorkshireman!

Catches (and good swing bowlers) win matches

Sunday's performance claimed the (first?) Ormo Prize and a double-quick win over Hadley Wood Green, to inflict the sort of drubbing we've been on the wrong side of earlier this season.

Under a mostly cloudy sky, lofty opening bowling pair Ben Stockton and James Soden made the new cherry hoop and dance to skittle HWG rapidly to set up what was our first win in this season's MEIL Sunday league. Both bowled excellently and were backed up very well in the field, with all catches taken and some tight ground fielding to boot.

Yorkshireman Stocko nabbed a five-fer, almost all of them bowled out, while Sumeet snaffled a great diving catch behind the stumps (video to come), Reny Ponnamkunnath took a calm catch on his debut and Toby grasped a juggled catch to claim the 10th wicket of the game, giving a first wicket of the season for Oli and the long-awaited Ormo.

Then in reply (and without going in for tea), Jas and skipper Toby (finally opening the batting after many calls through the season for him to do so) notched off the runs in just over 14 overs. Showing more evidence of his exponential improvement with the bat this season (and winning admiring praise from Riz for his 'lovely hands'), Jas Hands marked up his highest score for the club, with an unbeated 41.

Post-match

Tea was described by one of Pacific's several public servants as "shocking, especially considering the higher match fee", though we got to watch some of what would be Australia's failed attempt to chase down India in the World Cup. Then we had a twenty-20 beer match afterwards, about which some Pacificos were less enthusiastic than others.

Receiving the news after the game that his Rumplestiltskin-like challenge had finally been achieved, Ormo excitedly stood up in the train he was travelling in and announced the happy fact to the whole carriage. Perhaps he was travelling in the northern wilds, in which case it's likely that the response was a huge round of applause, cheering and chaps throwing their hats in the air, but if he was in London then everyone would've frowned and avoided his eye. 

All in all, a top day's cricket and a great day.