A strong team effort enabled The Bank of England to pass Pacific's total of 205 with just an over to go. Despite 96 from Welshman Jim Davies – a Pacific career best - skipper Steve Lay's attacking declaration in a good pitch and lightening fast outfield always looked a bit of a gamble. With no early breakthroughs and solid contributions from all the batsmen - the Bank were able to accelerate towards their target with plenty of wickets in hand – easing home with just an over to spare.
Pacific 205 for 6 (Jim Davies 96, Paul Attwood 36, Austin 2-12, Cawlis 2-39)
Bank of England 209 for 5 (Kidnee 47*, White 41, Wynn 40, Adey 36, Jim Davies 2-62, Dave Murray 2-72)
Skipper Steve Lay won the toss and elected to make first use of the excellent facilities at the Bank Ground. However opening bat Matt Holliday’s recent poor run continued as he fell for just a single in the third over. This brought left-hander Davies to the crease – who patiently took 23 balls to get off the mark – while Paul Attwood struck a series of well-timed boundaries at the other end.
With Davies’ first six scoring shots all going to the boundary – soon both men were filling their boots on a good track and fast outfield. However after adding 64 for the second wicket – Attwood picked out point with a square cut and departed for 36. He was surprisingly soon followed by the in-form Dave Murray - who failed to cash in on the conditions when he snicked one behind after making only 5.
However John Hill relished the situation and the veteran middle-order man smashed his way to a quickfire 16 before hitting a return catch from a slower ball that had deceived him. However Davies continued to produce some big hit – three of them going for six – and he also enjoyed some luck as two hard hit chances were put down. With Jonathan Hardisty he added 80 for the 5th wicket – before missing an injudicious slog at a straight ball and departing four short of century. Hardisty soon followed for 16 and Peter Czabotar was left on 6 not out as skipper Lay brought a fairly early close to the innings on 205 from 40 overs.
With relatively little depth in his bowling options – Lay was hoping for a breakthrough from returning paceman Marcel Boonaert and swing bowler Rob Bastin. Boonaert was unlucky to see an edge put down by the usually reliable Attwood behind the stumps and both Bank openers took full toll on any loose balls.
With 72 added without loss in good time – occasional spinner Dave Murray and burly seamer Davies were all that was left to the skipper. Both men produced breakthroughs – Davies via Attwood behind – and Murray thanks to a well judged catch from Hill at mid-off. With each bowler then taking another wicket thanks to the same pair of catchers – the game was well set with the Bank staggering somewhat at 128 for 4.
However all-rounders White and Kidnee played well – again attacking selectively and keeping pace with the required rate – despite a hard chance to a diving Davies off Murray at slip and other half chances being spurned in the outfield. These were to prove costly as the target raced into view – only for the returning Boonaert to claim a deserved wicket when he bowled White. However there were too many overs and wickets in hand – and the game ended when Kidnee struck a boundary from the last ball of the penultimate over – it give the Bank a well deserved win.
MOM – Jim Davies – a well-struck 96 followed by an 11 over spell.
Packing the Kit – Jim Davies – a horrible shot to miss out on a ton and a vital dropped catch.
XI:- Paul Attwood, Marcel Boonaert, Pete Czabotar, Jim Davies, John Hill, Matt Holliday, Steve Lay*, David Murray, Rob Bastin, Matt Patel, Jonathan Hardisty.
