Another tight finish in the NELCL at Millfields as Pacific lost by 7 runs in the penultimate over.

Sovereign won the toss and opted to bat first on a slow spongy surface that offered a bit for the bowlers.  Sandeep and Mark opened the bowling for Pacific and were on top early on, claiming a wicket apiece and bowling very tidily.  Ben and Ken rebuilt at 3 and 4 for Sovereign, Ben a bit lucky on occasion, the floppy-hatted Ken unleashing some lusty blows over long-on and mid-wicket.

Reny, playing in his last game for Pacific before his move to Holland, came on first change, and was probing and threatening as ever, picking up 2 wickets.  Nick at the other end bowled better than usual, on an increasingly helpful surface, notching up his maiden maiden of the season (a mixed achievement, coming in late September).  Mutz kept well, only missing out on a stumping due to the square leg umpire thinking that on the line was in (something for which he later apologised).  Manav replaced Reny and bowled really well in his first game for 30 years.  Riz (known as Fritz in the scorebook - a nickname that should surely stick) picked up 2 wickets and Chris 1 with his off-breaks.

Sovereign never really got away from us, but still 199 was probably more than they should have got, and seemed at the halfway point a challenging but gettable target.

In reply, Pacific started slowly against the tight lines and lengths of the Sovereign openers.  Bowling was clearly Sovereign's stronger suit, and Mark, JasBas and Chris all struggled to get going.  Pacific were 17-1 off 11 overs and 53-3 at drinks, needing 147 off the remaining 20 overs.

Sovereign, however, had front-loaded their better bowlers, and Chris began to accelerate after drinks, punching classically through the offside, while Amandeep crunched a mighty 6 over mid-wicket.  Reny replaced Amandeep in his usual swashbuckling style before falling for 12.  Fritz came in and played a lovely extra-cover drive for 4 to open his account.  All the while, Chris was playing with ever greater freedom at the other end, with the run-rate remaining within reach.  When Fritz fell, Pacific needed 66 off 50 balls with 4 wickets left.

Mutz came to the crease and was busy from the start, dabbing behind square for quick singles and running an all-run 4 (prompting Fritz to call for the oxygen).  Mutz and Chris appeared to have turned the game decisively in Pacific's direction, with 15 required off the final 3 overs, when Chris holed out on 93.  The pressure of the chase ultimately told, however, as Sandeep was bowled 2nd ball swinging across the line, and Nick run out in the following over.  This 9th wicket prompted the aforementioned mobility scooter pitch invasion, which unfortunately I didn't see much of as I was busy cursing the skipper for having run me out.  Manav was out first ball and the Sovereign celebrations began.

Pacific will reflect that having pulled the game back in their favour they should have seen it over the line.  But this was another great game of cricket.  Sovereign were great fun to play against, with their pumping reggae and multiple off-field captains cajoling, barracking, and moving the field from the boundary.

Honourable mentions for Reny, who we look forward to seeing again on his return (or on a Pacific tour to the Netherlands), for Manav, playing his first game for 30 years, and for Chris, for his excellent knock which got us back in the game.  Also, as this was the last league game of the season, particular thanks to the skippers, Mutz and Timbob (and others), for all their hard work in a very enjoyable season.