One of the oldest and most enjoyable fixtures of the summer was well attended by some of the more “senior†club members from both sides.
Locksbottom 86-9 Walker 18, Davies 4-0-17-3, Baglivi 7-5-13-2
Pacific 88-2 Hill 30, Hardisty 29*
Despite an indifferent forecast the sun appeared as this match started, with Locksbottom having won the toss deciding to bat. All Pacific’s bowlers were accurate and combined with a pitch and outfield playing fairly slowly, the Locksbottom batsmen struggled to score with any freedom.
The quartet of Baglivi, Roberts, Alexander and Lay didn’t give anything away as the batting was not allowed to reach any kind of fluency. Wickets fell steadily, the highlight being a one handed reaction catch by John Baglivi at 2nd slip off Ian Lay’s bowling. Peter Hollman taking a couple of smart catches and Attwood very tidy behind the stumps gave Pacific’s fielding a polished look.
Earlier opener Bob Kimber unluckily had to retire with a dodgy knee after turning sharply looking for a second.
Play was briefly interrupted by a very low flying Lancaster with a Spitfire and Hurricane escort returning to Biggin Hill via a fly-past over Bletchley Park.
After a generous tea, Pacific’s innings started with a hiccup as Ben Hardisty managed to run out (a direct hit from Simon) the in form Matt Holliday who took it in his stride (kicked his helmet all the way to the boundary). But at number three in came John Hill who struck an aggressive match winning 30 to see Pacific all but home. Before Pacific reached their target, Ben Hardisty managed to use up three lives, firstly being bowled (without the ball dislodging the bails), then a missed stumping followed by a drop at 1st slip. As he said afterwards “I think this is my lucky ground as I scored my first 50 here more years ago than I care to remember !â€.
Pacific: M.Holliday, B.Hardisty, J.Hill, J.Davies, M.Patel, *+P.Attwood, J.Baglivi, I.Lay, D.Roberts, P.Hollman, M.Alexander.
