Weather gods smile on Pacific after brilliantly judged declaration

Captain Riz made a game of things yesterday with a superbly aggressive declaration. The forecast was for the rain to come about 15.30 so he decided to roll the dice. Our innings lasted for 21 overs but that was enough to force a victory against the Journeymen, and the weather.

Only five batsmen were needed, and Mohan led the way with a crazily aggressive 50. There were big shots all over the place as well as the usual sweetly timed drives and flicks.

BOC got some short stuff from Axford coming up the hill and after initially dealing with it comfortably, it was his undoing in the end as he was pouched at midwicket.

Tom looked untroubled whilst anchoring the innings and Riz came and went in 7 balls, but in that time, he was able to add 24 to the total and amazingly that was that, we’d set them a target of 179.

Shahid (up the hill) and Ali took the new ball, but they couldn’t get their lines right so were dragged early doors.

Because of this, the Journeymen got off to a steady start and brought up their 50 for the loss of no wickets. The game was about to turn though as skips called upon his very own Surrey spin twins - Ahmed (up the hill) and Mohan.

There was no stopping the Guildford man as he weaved his web for 12 consecutive overs. It was a joy to watch the Leggie do his thing, and he picked up our first wicket with a perfect leg break that was well taken and well stumped by Rohan. He went onto take 2 more wickets, one bowled and one superbly snaffled by Joe D running round at fine leg. The nonchalance with which the catch was taken (over his shoulder) fooled a few of us as the light wasn’t great and there was no initial celebration, but Joe knew what he was doing. It was a great catch and exactly what we needed.

Skips couldn’t bowl due to a hand injury, so Tom took over down the hill. His pace was up but it was a clever slower ball that clipped the glove of Bishop and was caught by Rohan.

90 (odd) for 4 at tea – game on!

Mohan came back on in the gloom. He was unlucky not to pick up a wicket or two in his first spell as he bowled very economically. He struck straight away on his return though, bowling Silverstone who was going well.

After Mohan’s set, skips went in for the kill. With the rain getting heavier and the game still in the balance, he called back our opening bowlers and gave them a simple message – bowl it full and straight.

Shahid bowled a useful couple of overs and was rewarded with one wicket, but Ali was a man possessed, he was involved in the last 4 wickets to fall. Showing the captain that he’d listened to his instructions, he picked up 3 wickets (all bowled), each one more outrageous than the last. Just to show he was in complete control of his game he also threw in a run out. The on-purpose mis field was impressive but the direct hit from mid-wicket (to run out their opener) was genius!

Seeing the stumps getting splattered for the last 4 wickets was tremendous fun. Throw in some joyous celebrations and an early finish to the match meant it was job very much well done.

A few Pacificos strolled to the Pub on the park to celebrate the victory, and we were a joined by a few Journeymen players for a good, honest drink.

Excellent work all round.