Another Sunday, another run fest for the batsmen but this time it was only just sufficient to hold off a spirited run chase by CYPOS? It was a beautiful sunny afternoon that greeted the teams. Half the changing rooms were shut off. CYPOS? won the toss and inserted Pacific.
Pritchard and Roy soon showed that to be the wrong decision as they built a solid platform over the first 15 overs. Roy was his usual powerful self with his driving and pulling on the way to his first fifty of the season with 77. Chasseaud looked threatening until he slog swept straight to mid wicket.
Tempany and Faisal then blasted the change bowlers out of the park. A couple of balls were lost due to the big hitting. The returning Howell bowled both and then Holliday copped a rough decision. Patel and Roberts ensured the tail wagged sufficiently to set an imposing task.
The reply began under grey overcast skies (although the sun would penetrate occasionally during the innings). Roberts bowled a beauty to get the early breakthrough. Gleadow then tested Hubbard with a very tough over including a snorter that the slip cordon was adamant that was caught behind but was not given. Miller and Hubbard survived and soon prospered with the cut shot and drive to the fore. Smith and Faisal bowled very well and kept the required rate rising despite some good batting. Smith's wicket saw a short ball collect top of the bat, then the batsman's head before looping to square leg
Miller cutting and Srithaws cutting and flicking through mid wicket kept CYPOS? in the game in the gathering gloom until the last five overs. The Pacific field gradually spread so that there were nine men on the boundary and CYPOS? did not have the power to go over the top.
