Pacific fetched up at the picturesque Locksbottom ground where there were blue skies, but a breeze that turned from warm to decidedly chilly by the end of the match. Pacific only had ten players, including 17-year-old Dominic Lay who became the third generation of his family to play for the club after his grandfather, uncles and father - a first in Pacific history.
The toss was dispensed with, as it was agreed that Pacific's batting was so weak that for them to bat first might well see the game finish before tea. As it was the 10 Locksbottom wickets fell for just over a 100; unfortunately the openers put on a 160-run opening stand. Pacific opening bowlers Mike Alexander and John Hill didn't bowl especially badly, but Locksbottom's Sawyer and Morton were ruthless in putting away the bad ball. First change Allan Roberts was also a little expensive, but wasn't helped by the captain putting down a perfectly catchable chance on the cover boundary. Eventually Allan broke the opening partnership by having Morton caught in the ring by John Baglivi.
Pacific's bowlers then got the upper hand. John Baglivi's spell was fragmented by his being occasionally indisposed, but he showed why he's Pacific's leading wicket taker by taking 2 wickets whilst only going for 3 an over. Ahmed Hussain also bamboozled well, taking a brace - one of which pitched out towards square leg and clipped the top of off stump. Mike Shannon bowled his 8 overs unbroken from the top end and in his 5th over took a hat-trick - his first ever for Pacific or anyone else. Locksbottom loanee Cameron Ward picked up 2 of his clubmates. Pacific's fielding was pretty solid (especially considering the veteran nature of most of the team) with Mike Alexander taking a fine diving catch in the covers, Frank Baglivi making a fine stumping, John Hill holding onto a scorcher to end the innings, and Ian Lay doing lots of chasing beyond the capabilities of much of the team.
263 was a big ask when Pacific came to bat and unsurprisingly they failed to make it. The two non-Dom members of the Lay family fell to inswingers from the Locksbottom opening bowler Kennell. Ahmed Hussain (promoted 9 places from his normal position) played a blinder though - breaking the club record for the most dot balls before getting off the mark. He faced 56 balls (in just over the hour) before carelessly, but elegantly stroking 2 through the covers.
Frank Baglivi played a delightful innings of deft nudges to make 19 not out, but the other 6 Pacific players only managed 11 runs between them. It was left to two loaned Locksbottom players Cameron Ward (32) and Matt Cuffing (40*) to steer Pacific towards some sort of respectablilty.
It was an enjoyable game though - played in perfect spirit and good humour. Mike Shannon's jug in the pub afterwards was welcome and well deserved.
