On the 1985/6 England tour of the West Indies, as well as coping with the inevitable 0-5 scoreline, from the bleachers a soca tune of the day was blasted out & aimed at David Gower - "Captain - Your Ship is Sinking" & the point was made. 25 years later, & Club Captain & President was admiral of 2 ships. No matter which sank, his exit was pre-ordained.

As it happened, the weather held up nicely & although it was a little chilly in the shade it was an eminently playable day for cricket & so cast off began shortly before midday.

The Bastin-Hollman partnership got things underway until just before the 50 run partnership when the Pacific Captain Bastin gloved Darrell Christie to the keeper.

The bowling options that Darren had certainly kept the batters honest & record run scorer Jon Webley enjoyed 2 lives before succumbing to Rizwan's unquestionable class.

It was Justin Roy's exciting counter attacking stroke play that really took the innings up some more notches & gave the home side a useful total to defend despite the regular chipping away of wickets by Parkinson & Teesdale Junior.

At the interval the teams enjoyed the novelty of a BBQ with injured member Kurt stoking like it was high Summer. It therefore took a little cajoling to get the 2 teams back in the middle.

Opening bat Doug Teesdale gave the punters what they wanted with plenty of cutting & wasa keeping the illustrious visitors on course. Cap'n Bob decided to take the pace off the ball & replaced the seam & pace of Brown & Smith & the spin of Haill made the breakthrough. Chasseaud supported but it was the 3rd spinner who took 4 middle order wickets including man of the day, & could have had 5 if his dad was sharper at 2nd slip. But it was seemingly enough to scupper the Presidents' efforts. It was a nice touch clapping him all the way from & back to the pavilion even if his final average was a touch below 99.94

But the game was not done & dusted, & as many in Victoria Park will testify, never count out Sky & indeed Rizwan's efforts were only undone by Pacific's depth of bowling & that man Webley who finished with the day's real best figures.

At 5.50p, 20 minutes before sunset it was all over. A great day & an enjoyable season. Roll on 2011 & back to Wray for most while 1 man can contemplate another ship being gently blown along the Freemantle doctor