It was looking dodgy that we'd get a game on - the match was scheduled for 11am, and at 10.15 the oppo thought about crying off. They'd had 3 pull outs overnight, taking a respectable 10 for the game down to a tricky to manage 7, but full credit to the Royal Sov for pushing through and getting the game on. When Tim got the call that they might need to pull out 45 minutes before the start, knowing that players such as Creatures and Ahmed were already en route from such far flung climes as Guildford and Nutfield made getting some sort of a game on imperative. A fantastic last minute recruitment drive from oppo skippper Andy did them proud, and Royal Sov finally ended up closer to 13 than 11 players, able to sub fielders on and off at will. The PCC were also struggling slightly with numbers, and the match will be fondly remembered by all who played in it for the debut of Shaline Fazal (fiancee of club stalwart Jas Basi) who gamely stepped in to make up the numbers and plug the gaping hole in the Pacific Field. 

After a much delayed start waiting for the Royal Soverign (RS) makeweights to arrive, we settled on a 30 over game. RS won the toss, and asked us to have a bowl. Opening the Pacific attack were two players perhaps better known for their batting, Luke De Noronha and JD. Both bowled tight lines to restrict the RS batsmen, but it was JD who made the early breathrough with two quick LBWs. Luke bowled well without reward in the wickets column, but would truly make his mark in the game later on with the bat in hand. Pick of the bowlers though has to go to Magic Manav, who finished with figures of 6-1-26-4, a great effort even if he'll talk himself down from it. You can only bowl at what's in front of you, and he kept a tidy line and length to removee the RS middle order. For the RS, Ike had batted lower than perhaps his ability would merit to give the youngsters a chance to swing the willow, and gave some almighty tap to skipper Garrett, his knock of 62 off only 34 balls dragging RS back into a competitive position from a seemingly innocous start. RS finished on 175ish, and despite the strong start with the ball, PCC had work to do with the willow.

Opening the reply, Homerton loanee Lawrence de Glossop was unlucky to get a good nut early on, and Ed Greig at the other end showed his true colours with a 2nd consecutive run out, eagerly pushing for a single that Rashdul at the other end wasnt remotely interested in. It was hard luck for Ed, who showed admirable intent to start strongly and keep the required run rate managable. In the end, Rashdul (another Homerton loanee) made up for running out Ed with a very useful innings of 45, though one has to wonder what Ed might have ended up on given a clean run at the green. There followed cameos from Creatures and Jas Bas, who both showed good intent without overly bothering the scorers, before the Pacific opening bowlers arrived with bat in hand to take us over the line. Luke was MoM with a 35 ball 71, and JD held up the other end admirably as the last two recognised batsmen took us over the line. All in all a great day in lovely weather for late October, and though it was a slightly delayed start, it was worth waiting for in the end. Thanks again to RS for a fantastic last minute recruitment drive when it would have been easier to cry off - they got the game on and its entirely to their credit.

Match report by Tim Garrett