On a typically overcast British summers day in August, Pacific CC met Hadley Wood CC at Springfield. Pacific quickly won the first the victory of the day, choosing to bat with captain Tim smartly observing that the pitch was only going to get worse & that his opening bowler, Aakash, was 2 hours late. 

What followed can only be described as an incredibly pedestrian start to one of the most pedestrian forms of sport going. HWCC players came on the pitch, off the pitch, flags in, flags out, change mid off for mid on, etc. We finally started 20 mins late & this slow cooker of a match began rather slowly. Jai & Tristan built a solid opening 50 partnership in the face of a very slow over rate. Soon the first wicket fell bringing form batsman Dan to the crease. HWCC at this point turned to their mystery bowler - the runup began 3 wickets perpendicular to the crease before snaking round the crease & delivering some steady slow medium pace. Brothers Tristan & Rowan fell in quick succession bringing Faisal to the crease who built a solid partnership with Dan. 

Following drinks at 20 overs, the partnership was broken & Harry made a fleeting appearance before the arrival of Aakash. The acceleration began & Aakash was suddenly in a race with Dan to reach 50. Dan was in danger for a period but with an enormous six over mid wicket he reached his 50 shortly followed Aakash. Aakash was out shortly after & cameos by Tim, JK, Jack Mendel and Chai (supported by his associated fan club) pushed us to 231 after 40 overs. The HWCC fielding performance was interspersed with many awesome one hand jonty Rhodes esque pick ups & many attempts to control a fast moving cricket with their shins to limited effect.

A quick turnaround & Pacific were now in the field. JK steaming in. The Chai fan club were pumped. First ball delivered into a great area. The batsmen chops on and his head drops. Elation in the crowd. He looks up & receives 'long day for you mate' from JK before trudging off. Who said the spirit of cricket was dead? From here onwards the HWCC innings comprised of very aggressive approach that resulted in a few boundaries before threw away their wickets. JK quickly collected a well deserved 5 for 21 & we were down to their final batsmen, their mystery bowler. The gentleman was soon surrounded by fielders on all sides yet was set on running himself out. Before long, one that ripped & turned from Tim beating batsmen & wicket keeper. A simple single lead to pure confusion with boths batsmen at the same end, the bails gone & handshakes all round after a great days cricket. HWCC finished on 115.