Comprehensive defeat came just before the rain settled in. All credit to Riffs who bowled and fielded superbly in a game reduced to 25 overs by the threat of rain.
A pre-match discussion based on the weather forecast between 2 captains, 1 vice & 1 umpire & a 25 over match was agreed which started 10 minutes early, tea postponed until the end & only 15 minutes in rain that was uncomfortable for the fielding side. Pacific debut Captain arrived just in time to call correct & bat but SR's Hayden & Tim showed good pace & swing respectively & the 1st run came only in the 3rd over as the Pacific big guns of Rizwan & Jon Webley opened the batting in the reduced format.
The SR's bowling never allowed P to put together a meaningful partnership & wickets fell at regular intervals. It seemd that the SR Captain Joe Birch had the knack of always havig the right bowlers on to the right batsmen & backed up by athletic feilding, surprisingly unrusty arms & even a taken skyer SR deserved to restrict P to a paltry 75.
P came back well in the field & while Vince Croft & James Gleadow bowled adequatley well the SR big shots came off & they suruvived the run out attempts & a routine slip catch all of which made P look like the rusty side.
Despite some late wickets some more lusty blows & while the fielders slid & slide across the outfield the batters connected.
Each year SR seem to get better & deserve a better challenge than P were able to put up on the day; nevertheless, all were grateful that any game was played in a week when most grounds were closed.
Afterwards SR Captain Joe Birch said "Just wanted to say thanks from all the riffs for the game on Saturday. Glad we could get a full match in in the end, - we enjoyed the day out. Also thanks for your honourable batsmen who walked! And for James for helping out in the field. All the best, Joe"
XI:- Rob Allum, Vincent Croft, James Gleadow, Steve Lay, Jon Webley, Fred Janaway, Dinesh Deshpande, Rizwan Siddiqui*, Firoz Husain, & Sarfraz Ahmed, Luke Hollman,
Umpire P Hollman F Janaway
Scorer Chris Clayton