News to bring of a winning draw at the fabulous Crouch End CC.

Pacific's decision to bat first looked questionable when Sumeet and Rafiq were bowled early on by Crouch End's accurate left-arm opener Charles but Toby and Luke steadied the ship with a partnership of 146. After Luke fell victim to a popper on 77 Kieran managed to accelerate the score even more with his trademark scampering between the wickets and some lusty blows to hit a quickfire 35. Toby continued to find a boundary each over, bringing up his century with another straight lofted drive into the sightscreen before declaring shortly afterwards at the halfway point of 40 overs.

Tea featured a fantastic Indian curry which, if it was a little short on rice, perhaps wasn't a bad thing as it meant our bowlers weren't overloaded. Navid and James opened well but were taken off after a few overs each when it became apparent that the batsmen were intent only on blocking them out.

Sam replaced Nav at the bottom end, bowling with bounce and turn in what was described by his motivational coach Kieran as his second best spell for the club, though he did lose his line and length somewhat when his girlfriend arrived to watch. The leg-spinner achieved huge rip on a pitch that was soft and benign, his two wickets take him into double figures for the season.

Meanwhile, from the top end, Sharan, after a good warm up in the nets while we were batting, bowled his most consistent spell of the season, his eight overs conceding just 26 runs. Ben and Andy had an eventful over each, followed by Kieran, who bowled nicely against the right-hander but suffered the yips against the right-handers.

Then it was time for the openers to return, with Nav's pace proving too much for four Endians. Our quickest bowler produced a champion's second spell, spooking a succession of Crouch Enders with his stump-targeting full balls and taking us deep into their batting order.

But the highlight of the day was James Gleadow opening the bowling just weeks after an operation, then returning as the sun was setting around a tree-thronged Crouch End, steaming in and striving to prise out the last Crouch Enders, his wrist-cocked action in delivery stride a glorious sight which Pacificians over the last decade have come to know and cherish. He was desperately unlucky not to take a wicket other than bowling opposing skipper Joe off a no-ball.

Crouch End hung on well short of the target for seven wickets down and the match ended in the draw that had looked all too likely from the first overs of their watchful reply.

As the light faded we drank a Toby jug and gave Kieran some post-yips counselling.

Many thanks to Pete for umpiring, to Kieran for uploading the scorecard, and to Crouch End CC for being such hospitable hosts.

Match report by TC and KM.