The Pacific season got off to a flying start at Wray Crescent with Pacific's seniors prevailing over their junior counterparts in our traditional curtain raiser to the year. It was great to see so many new faces debut. Sumeet Sharma, John Saunders, Rob Hamill, Navid Chowdhury and Jude Saverus all showed plenty of skill and promise.

The Seniors batted first and were in trouble early on before Sandeep blasted his way to 78 before being expertly run out by a direct hit by Rob. Toby and Kieran chipped in to lift the score to 207 off 40. The Juniors' chase started solidly but Kieran's five-for ("Please can't this be a first class match," he was repeatedly heard pleading) chipped away at them despite Sheldon Brathwaiting 44 before skying one to Toby at mid-off who snaffled the chance to catch another danger man. So it was that the Juniors fell 40-odd short. 

The highlight of the day though was the return to Pacific colours of the club's stellar allrounder James Gleadow, who helped guide the Seniors past 200 with typical nous.

Next Sunday, 10 April, Nuggsy will be donning the whites once again. Following on from last year's hugely successful day, the James Gleadow Alliance will play a Pacific XI in a T20 or 25-over a side tie to help raise money for several bowel cancer charities. James is generously covering the cost of the pitch hire at Wray Crescent so instead of a match fee we're asking participants to make as generous a donation to this important cause as possible. Last year over £600 was raised for Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer UK – we're hoping to better that total in 2016. Please let me know if you'd like to get involved as soon as possible.

In other Pacific news, it's farewell for now to Justin Roy, who is moving to the US with the family Roy in the next couple of days. Justin, like his namesake Jason, is capable of destructive displays of power play with the bat, which allied to a ready wit, make him a valued member of the team. We wish him well and hope to see him in Pacific colours again in the future.