The complexities of a timed game and a typically flat pitch resulted in a run-heavy and ill-tempered draw at Ally Pally.

Good knocks from Toby, Tom and Webbo gave Pacific a good start but at 230-odd for 5 after 45 overs, we decided to bat on to ensure we had enough on a flat pitch with tiny boundaries.

The decision to sacrifice some batting points in the pursuit of a big total infuriated the opposition for some reason. Kieran and Oli added some crucial runs as Black Rose – who have already won the league - went doolally around them.

Intermission

When Giaco and Nuggsy made early inroads into the Black Rose top order, a win seemed on the cards. Some stunning catching by Pacific (including a one handed grab on the boundary by Riz, a diving snaffle at square leg by Oli and a safe take at long off by Paul) kept hopes of a win alive throughout the innings, but Black Rose’s lower middle order were harder to prize out than their top four.

Some impressive big-hitting in the final overs took them closer to our total than we would have liked but the match was drawn with Pacific still requiring three wickets and Black Rose needing about 20 runs.

TI