The 1st fixture against Highgate since the heady indoor thrashings at Lords in the 80s came about when J P Morgan no showed & the Pacific XI reverted to hard core members against the Highgate players & net occupiers.
A 7 a side 12 overs match commenced which looked as it may well have gone Highgate's way thanks to fine batting from Tony Duckett & despite 2 wickets from leg spinner Mike Alexander including his brother Paul 1st ball. Gulp.
Pacific's reply lead by a growing in confidence Jon Hardisty had reached 28-1 off 3.1 overs when Highgate's diplomatic groundstaff representative suggested the game should not have gone ahead. As would be, the light drizzle became a little harder & as the players came off, Umpire Steve Emmins provocatively outraged the man further by saying "sorry". Listening & communications skills are due to be added to the ECB's list of recommendations in the near future (one would hope)& it's goodbye from a soggy Victoria Stakes pub, sorry I mean Highgate outfield.
VII: Jonathan Hardisty, Matt Patel, Rob Bastin, Mike Alexander, Steve Emmins+, Jon Brown, Peter Hollman*
