The more quixotic among us dreamed of  something tangible to celebrate in a season of several disappointing cancellations and believed that a Pacific victory provided the Graces notes to a landmark day for Mr Jon Brown, that a double wicket yield of dreams had taken him took him to a milestone 100 wickets for the club he started playing for in 1994. Infact the stalwart seamer remains two away from the promised land.

Summary
Nigh on immaculate collective bowling performance (JG 4-fer, GB-3-fer, JB-2-fer,TT1-fer) restricted Graces to a dalmation score of 101 from nearly 40 overs - only Hardisty (12), Scott (38) and Anosh (18) provided any real resistance. After a sandwich platter-heavy tea and a spoonful of misanthropy from the club barman, Collis and Lay got the run chase underway. A little wobble was stabilised by Chasseaud and Mullens, whose 73-run partnership all but secured victory.

Player profiles 

James Collis
The technically correct young batsman looked untroubled before being bowled around his legs sweeping by Anosh. Plenty more to come from James.

Steve Lay
Out on the day to a superb catch at backward point, Mr Lay cuts a distinguished figure in his 100% cotton white shirt, reminiscent of a more innocent tailoring era tarnished by man-made fibres and sweat wicking properties and the like. On TMS recently Geoff Boycott lamented the demise of the finely fitted cap. Let’s imagine him speaking out on the issue: “Uncle Algie said you can’t make owt with machine washable polyester, lad”.

Andrew Birley
First Pacific outing in 2014, AB showed now trademark on-field acuity, committing himself wholeheartedly to the cause. Took a stunning one-handed catch off Mullens, momentum unfortunately carrying him over the boundary, later pouching Brown’s 100th, a skier to midwicket, with the soundest hands in Greenford. Brought back to earth by Newton’s glorious, in-tailing yorker, there’s more to come with bat and ‘birl’ in 2014.

Toby Chasseaud
A glove supreme from captain Chasseaud. Whether up to the stumps or further back, TC’s handiwork was accomplished all the day long. Guided Pacific home with a 66no notable for several commanding straight drives.

Kieran Mullens
Atonement for some Kerrigan-like bowling (sorry Simon) came at 5 for K Chien. Joined Chasseaud at three down for 20 odd to take Pacific to within 7 runs of victory. Encouraged to hit a six by a cheeky slip fielder, he perished clubbing former Pacifician Mamun (Sedun) to deep mid on. Lesson learned from Kieran’s ‘Mind the windows Tino’ moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl1rHQj7P5c&safe=active

Jon Brown
Jon Brown’s cool days or so we believed. Graces trickled to three figures but Brown wouldn’t be kept waiting long, inducing Captain Scott into a skied slash to midwicket, which was calmly pouched by Birley. Mr Brown is now just two wickets away from becoming a Pacific wicket centurion.

Giaco Bridgett
Broad chested Anglo Italian GB formed a potent mix with JG, like a seamless DJ set from the one club man. Penetrative and parsimonious, the duo induced Graces into a run-scoring paralysis from which they never fully recovered.  Spell puts him on the all-time Pacific board for single match economy rate, we believe.

James Gleadow
A nugget of gold. Pacific’s seamer bowled ball after unplayable ball in a one spell performance showcasing the English axioms of swing and seam. Post tea Nugget snooze another eternal Pacific verity.

Paul Davis
Paul Benjamin Davis’ longest spell in Pacific colours didn’t yield a wicket but will have provided a useful laboratory to experiment on his mix of swing, seam and knuckle balls. Coming off a short run, PBD generates deceptive pace and passed the bat on several occasions. Deserved a wicket. (applicable number) wicket haul Paul to be PBD’s new moniker?

Tony Tambyrajah
Mr T Set the tone for a largely authoritative performance with a superb reaction catch above his head. Later he bowled a season’s best spell. Manacling batsman with flight and turn, Tamby repeatedly deceived as he sent the ethereal cherry heavenwards. Even his throwbacks display sweet loop. Wicket sent adhesive Scott back, with neat work from TC behind the stumps.

Shaz Timbadia
Shaz was just a couple of hours into his spell and was making the ball talk like a cricketing ventriloquist. Ankle injury curtailed his afternoon just as he was warming to the task on a baking hot day in West London. Heal well Mr Timbadia.

KM