It is rare to enjoy a loss, but there was a huge amount to be proud of during the most recent PCC loss to our bitter frenemies Black Rose of Highgate.

The first autumn game at Wray Crescent started in usual fashion with the slow, drawn-out departure of the footballers. Avoiding the arguing “local boys who ‘ave played ‘ere for thirty years”, skipper Howes tossed with Black Rose’s André. Pacific were inserted. As PCC friend Mike Gabbay and clubman Jasbir Basi walked out the clouds parted, exposing the Wray Coliseum to some wonderful autumnal sunshine.

Pacific got off to a steady but assured start, going at a lick above two an over for the first six overs. Jasbir played a couple of lovely shots before a lapse in concentration saw him flat bat one straight back to bowler Davis for 10 runs. Mike was joined by Sumeet Sharma, who had the chance to regain second place in the season’s runs table, which had been usurped the previous day by Stockton. With renewed vigour they set about their work, putting on 104 for the second wicket. Some tight lines saw Gabbay bowled for 48 whilst trying to push on whilst Sharma fell five overs later for a fluent 76.

This left Ben Burnham and Sam Howes in the middle with a touch more than seven overs to face. Buoyed by some strong lower-order protection they put on a 60-run flurry, Burnham hitting 44* off 41 and Howes 27 off 22.

Tea was a decent affair (far better than a boiled egg on a bin-lid) with both teams feeling victory was on the cards. Spanish omelette, quiche, poppadoms, chickpea curry and hummus were highlights, accompanied by some more traditional sarnies and crisps. An honourable mention to Ahmed Hussain for getting the squash mix perfect.

PCC have had more settled starts to a fielding innings, with the brave Pacific bowlers going at over 10 for the first five overs, with Black Rose’s Ali doing most of the damage. A returning James McGinnigle  bowled well, but every edge seemed to carry to the boundary. New all-rounder John Deighan, a definite name for the future, was a victim of Wray’s difficult bowling conditions, not bowling badly but going for runs, none-the-less.

It left skipper Howes (who Toby thinks may hold the record for the least experienced cricketer to captain Pacific, having played his first ever match in 2012) in a difficult position. James Soden started well, building some well needed pressure before McGinnigle spread wicket-keeper Ben’s stumps, but he was also victim to the powerful hitting of Ali, who had now been joined by Illbol.

The continued assault forced Howes to look for control, which came from one end through Gabbay, who bowled a spell that helped bring PCC back into the game and eventually accounted for the wicket of Ali, caught at long off by McGinnigle. Joe replaced the big hitter, recalling memories of his 50-ball nought in 2016. Hussain bowled brilliantly from the other end, finding turn and bounce from the pitch to have Illbol stumped and returning our best figures of 1 for 21 off 7 overs, a very respectable spell given the circumstances. He also bowled the only maiden of the match.

Ominously for the men from Finsbury, Andre Mishra was the next man to walk to the crease. After some very big shots, hitting 41 off 21 balls, Howes bowled some rare late season leg spin in an attempt to buy Andre’s wicket, which, after three consecutive fours, paid off as Tom Watson took a good catch at long off. The game looked poised, with Pacific only needing three tailend wickets and Black Rose needing around 30 runs. Watson, Paul Davis and a returning Howes tried their best, but Black Rose knocked off the runs with no further drama.

The two sides retreated to the YB Yeats for a good pint amongst good company. Stats wise, Sharma reclaimed second spot for runs and a wicket apiece for Howes and Hussain mean the two are still tied for third place in the wickets.

SH