Pacific battled to a third straight win against Washington at North Middlesex CC on Sunday, in what was truly a game of four quarters and notable for an outstanding individual performance by Yorkshireman Ben Stockton.
With Captain Chasseaud absent due to work commitments, an energised Mutz Siddiqui made his debut as pacific skipper. He won the toss and put the opposition in, before PCC put on an accurate bowling and disciplined fielding performance – notwithstanding the odd mishap.
The resurgent Gleadow bowled a tight eight over opening spell and deserved more for his efforts. Haill snared Washington's two top-scoring batsmen for modest totals as part of a three-fer. Mullens (2-29), Moses, Macpherson and Soden all made useful contributions, but Stockton's figures of 8-6-17-4 tell their own story.
As observed by Mullens in the field, not only is this Glastonbury-attending leftie prone to strike, but he can also be trusted with the economy. His six maidens contributed to Pacific restricting Washington to around 60-2 at the drinks break.
When Washington's middle order fell cheaply, Pacific looked likely to assume an unassailably strong position. Alas, it wasn't to be: Washington all-rounder Creed and his orange-hatted chum Marriner put on a spirited 50+ partnership for Washington's ninth wicket to frustrate Pacific and climb to a defendable 216 off 40 overs.
Tea was reasonable.
Mullens and Duncan led PCC out after the break against Washington's accurate seam attack. Duncan fell first, and in bizarre fashion. Looking in good form and having just survived a close LBW appeal, he casually went about surveying the pitch before the ball had died and was adjudged run out. A salutary lesson, and one that left the crowd wondering what might have been.
Enter Burnham, who having announced his intention to adopt a more cautious batting style after a calamitous season, proceeded to block a few, smack a four over the bowler's head, and then get caught in the covers playing a pull shot, as usual.
Creed went on the complete his "Apollo 4" mission. Pacific heavy hitters Sharma and Moses were both caught behind off almost identical deliveries and Macpherson was unlucky to be removed just as he was playing himself in.
With chaos raging all around, Mullens remained at the crease and doggedly put together a patient 16 off 51 balls. Eventually, he too fell having talked himself into an expansive drive at the wrong moment.
By this time, a strong-on-paper Pacific batting line up had slumped to a feeble 48-6. Some batsmen in the pavilion began to drown their sorrows with Heineken while others suggested that PCC’s results this season might not be down to persistent bad luck, but rather, a lack of ability.
Cometh the hour, cometh Stockton. The son of Skipton smashed an unbeaten 139, including 110 from boundaries. Soden and Siddiqui provided more than able support when called on. In the end, the captain’s selection of a strong lower order turned out to be a shrewd tactical choice as Pacific took it home in the dying overs with three wickets to spare.
It ain’t over till it’s over, fam.
Stats corner
Ben's 139* exactly equals his maiden century for the club and first ton of his life, scored against Bussey last season (weirdly echoing Kevin Pietersen scoring his maiden 158 for England and then following it with that exact score twice more in the next two years - so let's see if Ben can do the same...). Interestingly (although I'm not sure that's the right word), had he fallen one run short, he would have been the first PCC player to have scored 138.
He passed 100 in 54 balls, making it the fourth fastest in the club's storied history (following legends Conrad Chandler and Darren Tempany, plus Icarus figure Sam Parkinson), with his second 50 being the equal fourth fastest. Comprising 20 fours and five deliciously clubbed sixes, the 25 total boundaries puts him on that leaderboard too.
Skipton Man's 139 also looks to be the highest ever for someone coming in at number 7.
Can't see if there's any record for all-round match performance, but 139 and 4-17 you'd assume to be one of the best.
Let's not forget skipper Mutz Siddiqui's key role, with the 8th wicket partnership of 132 also being a club record.
Report - Ben Burnfam; stats from Oli using Steve Lay's marvellous records.
PLUS: Here's a video of the Washington innings put together by their Matthew Cragoe, featuring footage of Pacific fielders walking in and celebrating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qIFq3BAFqY&feature=share&app=desktop
