There was the Queue and there was another queue 

The second one a lot smaller, but the significance was non-trivial 

Both queues led to hallowed turf.

Only the latter one had life in it. Grim but sad reality of existence. 

Finally after some artful dodging and negotiating by Jimmy the Pacific skipper, we left Springfield Park to the teams who apparently had booked the pitch and had documentary evidence to prove it.

Fair play, as we lugged our kits to the Marshes along with the friendly opposition in Southwark cc.

Pitch 3 at the Marshes. 

Astroturfed pitch and inches of uncut grass on the field.

Having won the toss, Jimmy opted to bat.

A good decision to begin with. 

The openers, JD and Satish, looked comfortable against the determined bowling in overcast conditions. 

JD hit the sweet spot regularly until he edged one to 2nd slip off a goodish length delivery. Satish held on to his end,whilst boy- wonder Mohan did what he does effortlessly. Smack some crisp shots which raced to the fence. Despite the thick outfield. Power and placement. 

A flurry of wickets caused a little concern as the colt Cid was at the other end pondering his innings. Simon and Jimmy gave the innings much needed impetus to take us to a very competitive 189 in 30 overs.

The colt remained unbeaten in what can only be a boost to his confidence. Albeit I thought he was too tentative in the beginning. Hopefully he learns well and quickly.

A target of 190 wasn't going to be easy on such a thick outfield.

Jimmy and Simon opened the bowling with a very attacking field. 2 slips and all that.

Both were extremely unlucky not to have picked up wickets in their opening overs. Edges flew past the slips like tracer bullets.

Jimmy finally got one to spoon in the air and Alex took a high catch with ease.

Toby then bowled his spell with menace and was rewarded with a deserved scalp.

Manav and Mohan bowled a good combined spell to take 5 wickets in the middle overs. The run rate kept climbing and at no point did Pacificos look out of it.Infact we looked on top throughout the game.

Bowling and fielding changes were made as  soon as any sign of ascendancy was noted in the opposition. 

The nuts and bolts were duly in place and we tightened the screws as the match progressed. 

JD was a constant source of sound advice in the field along with the ebullient Simon.

The Gunner is known for his swashbuckling batting/bowling and as we found out yesterday, verbal volleys.

Alex who gets better everytime he bowls  was unlucky not to snare one.

He is a real threat when he bowls at the wickets. 

Deceptively quick. 

Ricky kept well given his leg cramps and ill-sized keeping equipment. The opposition were kind enough to lend him their equipment He carried on nonetheless and was stoic in his persistence.

Something we as a team should keep in mind going forward.  It's a tough job being a keeper and ill fitting gloves don't make it easier. (Note to kit managers)

With 28 needed off the last 4 balls,the opposition decided to have a handshake and concede the game. Fair play as it was mathematically impossible to get the required runs barring some egregious bowling,which looked unlikely given what we showed for 29 overs.

A much needed victory after all the queuing and lugging. 

Great team spirit.  Excellent captaincy. Nippy fielding and coordinated bowling.

And above all the "Return of JeDi".

JD put aside his Cromwellian Self-Denying Ordinance and played his 1st game this season with yours truly. 

A pleasure as always JD.

Regards.

Manav