For the third week running another beautiful sunny Sunday, another imposing Pacific total and yet another oppo batting for their averages rather than positively chasing the total. However, there was more to the game than that.
Ten man Washington won the toss and inserted Pacific. Joe fell early looping a catch to point. Bastin and Mohamed had to work hard against some variable opening bowling. They were lucky to survive numerous edges. One Bastin top edge resulted in a six over fine leg and another looped towards fine leg Clark who was running in and seemed to catch the ball. However a split second later Hill, a Tiger tank rumbling from first slip, crunched into Clark and the ball fell to the ground and the game halted whilst Clark required attention – he took no further part in the game.
Bastin fell to a full toss bringing Webley to the crease. Webley and Mohamed took the game away from Washington. Webley was not at his best, dodgy pints the night before apparently, but injected pace into the innings. Mohamed played a great anchor knock and was particularly strong through gully and on the pull through mid-wicket. He missed his hundred as he understandably slowed due to the heat and allowed Webley and Tempany the strike. He only got one off the last ball of the innings. Tempany played a typical cameo – surviving once when deep mid-wicket put a hand on the fence having done well to hold the catch. Chasseaud was run out by Mohamed as quick runs were sought out at the end. Faisal thumped a huge six. Holt sprained his ankle late on due to holes by the side of pitch.
Washington had roasted in the field and were down to eight. Once Brown bowled a great line and length opening spell the match was effectively dead. Gleadow and Smith were unlucky with dropped catches. Faisal bowled a fantastic hostile spell that had the batsmen hopping around and it was just a shame that the game was largely dead already by then. Vinod looked a little rusty post holiday and had the batsmen ducking beamers whilst Chasseaud bowled a tidy conclusion.
