by Oliver Haill

Islington cricket club Pacific were given a mauling by the Middlesex Tamils IIs (MTSSC) in the final of the Middlesex Federation Shield last Saturday, losing by 128 runs. Pacific bowled well in patches against MTSSC’s tigerish batting line-up who were benefiting from playing the final on their home turf. Pacific captain and habitual star batsman Jon Webley, who was himself disappointed with having only scored one run, was gracious in defeat however.

‘It was a tough game against a talented opposition who out-bowled and out-batted us,’ conceded Webley. It could have been a slightly different story if we’d taken some sharp chances in the field, but all credit to MTSSC, who were the deserving winners.’

With the pitch a soggy pudding, the start was delayed by an hour and play began with Pacific’s openers generating prodigious movement in the air. Although one wicket was taken with only six runs on the board, the home team accelerated to 150 halfway through their overs – a charge that was only arrested by a masterful spell of death bowling by Pacific’s James Gleadow, who took 4 for 27, including bowling former Sir Lankan international Pradeep.

Another to star was wicket-keeping astrophysicist Rob Bastin, who absorbed four edges like a black hole but fell just shy of a club record when one low chance collided off his glove like a shooting hadron.

As the skies cleared after lunch the atmospheric swing remained for MTSSC as they began the defence of their 234 total. Pacific’s ‘experimental’ opening partnership of Rob Bastin and Oli Haill struggled to make any headway, however, against a brisk Tamil bowling attack.

Their experience was not unusual, as Pacific skidded from 13-1 to 15-4 before South African pair Shayne Rees, whose 37 was the top score for the Islington side, and Justin Roy steadied the ship. Their half-century partnership was choked by the lolloping Pradeep, who removed both before they could make a serious attempt on the run-chase.

The final wickets were variously thrown or taken away to leave Pacific 128 short of the target, this might have been much less but in-form batsman Kurt Rademaker pulled a calf muscle as he strapped on his pads. But as it was against a club that can muster five Saturday and three Sunday teams, the N1 side should not be too discouraged. Next year they could even go one better, with extra net sessions this winter being subsidised by a £500 grant from Sport Islington.

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The final XI: XI: Chris Atkin, James Gleadow, Jon Webley*, Rob Bastin+, Matt Holliday, Oli Haill, Shayne Rees, Justin Roy, Kurt Rademaker, Pete Alexander & Lucius Faisal.

Nearest train & tube stations (Sudbury Hill) within 2 mins walk from the ground. Address: Post Office Ground, 136 Greenford Road, Harrow HA1 3QL.