In a shocking U-turn to their season, Pacific registered their first league win after a string of disappointing defeats. A fantastic 120-run partnership between George Moses and Mutz Siddiqui saved the blushes of a weak and wobbly top-order, with the Dorset man falling an agonising eight runs short of a century.

Hadley Wood Green set a target of 181, and the Pacific run chase faltered early on. Moses came to the crease as a flurry of wickets fell around him. But with the wise words of Billy ‘The Pacific’ Ocean’s ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going’ still ringing in his head, he and Siddiqui set about rebuilding the innings from 59 for five.

The high elbow and strong bottom hand of Moses always looked to have the power to take the game away from Hadley Wood Green. His innings was epitomised by a full-blooded six struck long over the bowler’s head, which locals say finally came to a rest in a field just outside St Albans [citation needed].

But the stolen singles and twos-turned-into-threes were key to the success of the Moses-Siddiqui coalition. While Moses struck the ball hard, Siddiqui time and again gently guided the ball through backward point. Padded up back in the hut, Aroon Korgoankar likened Siddiqui’s masterful unbeaten 48 to the exquisite stroke play of one Ian Bell [citation needed] – high praise indeed.

The day had started well for Pacific, removing the opener with the first ball of the match. Some tight bowling from seamers Stockton, Saunders and Sen reduced Hadley Wood Green to 70 for six. But a long seventh wicket partnership allowed the home side to regain a foothold in the game. 

Despite arguably the best fielding performance of their season – Korgoankar's diving efforts at fine leg a particular highlight – extras cost Pacific dear. Before long, the 181 total had crept up on them. When the final wicket eventually fell, the slip cordon was privy to a volley of swearing and muttering from a peeved Stockton – his cheery disposition never fails to lift the Pacifists' spirits [citation needed].

Pacific’s reply was stunted by early wickets. Pacific openers Ben (Sun)Burnham and Jay Lakhani fell cheaply, and skipper Toby Chasseaud was adjudged leg before, despite the customary protestations. Stockton followed soon after, with a flick into the legside timed worse than Theresa May’s election. Collis looked solid at first but missed a straight one early on. 

Throughout his excellent 92, Moses could be heard to say, ‘Never gonna give you up…’ [citation needed]. I’m sure Rick was with you every step of the way, George.