Pacific lost their first game of the 2018 MEIL against Mayfield at North Middlesex CC on Sunday.

Mayfield won the toss and put us in to bat. The pitch was true and the boundaries enormous, since the other game scheduled to take place at NMCC had been called off. Opener Jay was unable to replicate his heroics from Highgate the previous week, as he fell for zero. Neither Soden nor Burnham fared much better: numbers one to three perished in almost identical fashion - each of them mistiming drives which popped up to extra cover / mid off.

Sumeet was undoubtedly the star with the bat, scoring 71 before being stumped as he has himself done to so many batsmen over the years. Kieran put in a disciplined supporting performance, scoring 37 not out from 86 balls, including a huge, uncharacteristic 6 over the bowler's head. Shaz was looking up for it before being run out following some sharp fielding. We made 162 from 45 overs, opting not to extend the innings to the full 50 available overs, and instead claim our league batting points and reject negative tactics.

Tea had been the subject of heated debate prior to the match. To this writer's relief, it turned out to be excellent. Pesto pasta, coronation chicken baps and sausages in tomato sauce were the highlights.

PCC held on to the old ball, and Ahmed opted to open with newcomer Pandya's off-break styles after seeing them turn square in the nets. As well as an elaborate twirlyman's run-up, Umrish has possibly the best hair PCC has ever seen (according to captain Ahmed), which after the match he graciously offered to donate in part to those Pacifians whose barnets were deemed not up to scratch: off-spinner, raconteur, philanthropist.

Sharma came back to bite Mayfield by stumping both of their opening pair - off Hussain and Basi - each of whom bagged a pair on the day. Basi's second came after a worldy of a catch from Burnham, involving all manner of running around and rolling on the floor which possibly looked more impressive in his head than in real life. Rafiq enjoyed the moment with some rapturous celebrations, and himself put in an excellent and economical performance with the ball, delivering it on a sixpence apart from the wides.

As the innings progressed, Mayfield pairing Starck and Shaf began to tee off, and the game looked out of reach with Mayfield needing only three or so an over by the time we reached the last 20. When asked at drinks which side his money was on (were he a betting man) scorer Chris Clayton confirmed diplomatically that it would be on Manchester United. Captain Hussain took the new ball and brought seam twins Soden and Timbadia into the attack. With S&S dismissed, for a brief moment Pacific dared to dream. As wicket keeper Sharma pointed out, we were within a hatrick of a win. Sadly for us, Mayfield maestro Mirza (who had earlier retired with cramp) came back in at the death to bang the winning runs.