Pacific were pleased to see a decent crowd turn out on a lovely warm day at Highgate Cricket Club for the clash with Fives, which added to the anticipation of a top-quality Sunday afternoon ahead. This was quickly dispelled by the discovery that most of the crowd were there to drop off or pick up at the kids’ birthday party taking place in the nets. (Who on Earth would have thought of such a concept!)

After being put in, Pacific weathered the early loss of Rob D as Jasbir B and skipper Toby C patiently laid a foundation. Jas in particular looked in great touch with a couple of classical cover drives. Frustratingly everyone got in and then got out with John D and Amandeep D both looking like they could go on and make the big score that was needed. A short but chirpy 9th wicket partnership dragged PCC up to 169-9 off 45, which looked a good 50 light on an extremely flat deck.

Things then started to get a little messy. A poor opening spell from Jonathan H tested his skipper's patience as four balls were served up with alarming regularity. At the other end Ed H did his best to plug the leaks with a succession of high pace rising length deliveries but no breakthrough was forthcoming. Finally Jonathan begged the ump into an LBW and followed it up with a decent ball to castle the oppo's No.3, who went by the name of just ‘Gary', however by then the damage was done.

On came the leg-spin-twins (Aroon K & Ahmed H) intersected by a short burst from Joe D but the run-rate stayed around the 8 mark. Pacific stuck to it manfully in the field but Fives knocked off the target in 27.4 overs.

There was a pleasing end to the day as PCC discovered that there was good value Thai food being served at the bar and many of the squad took full advantage.