Blood sweat and beers.
On a scorching summer afternoon in a distant playing field Pacific met the Highgate Taverners for a friendly.
As is becoming very commonplace with Copthall playing fields, we were scratching our heads as to which of the 3 pitches was allocated to us.
The middle one with the sloping field, uncut grass and unmarked pitch gave me visions of a WW 2 battlefield. Seemed appropriate against the backdrop of the StoneX Saracens rugby stadium. What better way to visualise the mayhem of professional sports if not a bloodied scrum.
But i digress.
Players from both teams trickled towards the Giant Oak tree looking for somewhere safe from the sweltering sun.
Skipper Tim won the toss and elected to bat.
The Openers Big Ben and A-Bomb( no typos,he did open),went out gallantly to fend off the Taverners.
The 'Guildford Gadiator' hung around for almost 10 overs to see off the hostile spell. The pitch showing more hostility than the bowlers.
Big Ben batted freely to score 29,including some lusty blows before holing out in the deep.
In walked Mohan who played some good shots before being caught by one which stopped and rose.
Jack walked in with lot's of apprehension regarding the batting conditions. He looked good defensively and played pretty well for his 21 runs.He too succumbed to the antagonistic pitch and a willing bowler..
(Incidentally he played for the oppo many times and gave us handy tips in the field which helped a great deal later on). Benedict Arnold of cricket.????

Debutant Cid,the 15 yr colt, who was nudged, persuaded or pressganged depending on which member of his family one asks was next to stride to the killing field.
He survived 2 balls before Highgate Jardine bowled one at his ribs.
Needless to say in trying to fend, he gloved it innocuously to the keeper.
The story of Pacific's batting and indeed the highlight was Ricky Brown. Another debutant playing after a decade without cricket. He was cautious to begin with but as a fine distilled whiskey from the best in Speyside,he smoked the oppo bowlers one after the other.A gutsy 68 not out in his first game for us.
The rest of the batters did their bit to edge us towards a decent enough total on this aircraft carrier flight deck.
With a target of 172,the Taverners went out to bat. The opening attack of Maccy G snd Phil used the pitch well to keep the batters in check.
Maccy in particular was unlucky not to get wickets with several snorters missing the sticks by a whisker. In my view he is one of  the best opening bowlers I have played alongside.
Menacing line, length and pace.
Manav came on as 1st change and bowled the batsman with his first delivery.
A wicket maiden gave us hope that the game is definitely on.
Jithin on the other end bowled his usual hard to fend off venom. Finally he cleaned up the batter with one such nasty which
stayed low and skidded thru.
Mohan bowled well in spades in the first spell with a few boundaries being hit off him. Slightly unusual for him.
Next up came A- Bomb who bowled probabilistic deliveries.  I have to add that he is the leading wicket taker for Pacific this season. There is definitely a method to his madness if I am allowed this transgression.
Some went for boundaries and one nearly took my ring finger off as a fielder which nearly ended my marriage.
Skipper came on as the rotation policy with an abundant bowling line up kicked in.
He has at times under bowled himself this season. A wicket soon followed for him after quite a few close calls.
With 10 overs left and just 30 odd left to win with almost 5 wickets in hand,Maccy G and Jithin came for their 2nd spells.
Maccy got a well deserved wicket. Sport is cruel at times and I felt it was poetic justice that he got a scalp. His hands were bloodied in the outfield trying to take a catch. Great effort overall. Take a bow Maccy.
Jithin bowled his 2nd spell like a man possessed. Ripped the Taverners middle order and exposed their tail enders to the baying Pacificos.
As has become frustratingly commonplace with us,we ended up on the losing side.
Although yet again we played at our limits to cross the finishing line but fell short.
  A special word of mention for stand in wicket keeper, Ricky Brown.
  Yes he simply can't be out of our imaginations.
  Stunning reflexes and saves behind the stumps in his first ever outing as a keeper. He personifies"sound mind in a sound body".
  Gutsy and focussed from start to the end. He was the undisputed MoM. RICKY BROWN,remember the name.

  We could see the Taverners drinking cans of beers as we toiled in the field.
  But i am sure our bunch had plenty when they found a watering hole.