Late "Super Sub" Guy Wiehahn rescued skipper Jim Davies - after the novice captain had opted to field first on a hot day. The South African struck a classy unbeaten 61 - along with his skipper's more muscular 47 not out in an unbroken 4th wicket stand of 108 - which carried Pacific past the target of 204 set earlier by Old Fallopians.
Old Fallopians 204 All Out (Winstone 80, Thornhill 40, Ollie Haill 3-34, Jim Davies 2-10, Mike Alexander 2-34)
Pacific 206 for 3 (Guy Wiehahn 61*, Jim Davies 47*, Peter Hollman 26, Stebbins 2-44)
Stand-in skipper Jim Davies gambled on using the new ball at Broxbourne – knowing that the pitch was more dangerous with a hard ball. This ploy was soon undone however as a hit into the nearby hedge meant a lost ball and the use of a series of older ones as a few more were dispatched into the adjoining river.
Things looked bad as Fallopians sped to 58 without loss – before persevering veteran seamer Mike Alexander gained well earned reward by clean bowling Stebbins for 18 – and he soon accounted for another batsman in the same manner. With left armer Ollie Haill introduced into the attack – he too grabbed a wicket with an athletic caught and bowled to remove the dangerous Thornhill for 40.
A further change brought a first ever Pacific wicket for Alex Tomlin – his slow medium pacers trapping the batsman right in front. With Haill bowling well and taking another two wickets – it appeared as though the skipper’s plan might have been coming together after all. However – after a scratchy start – Winston unfurled a series of impressive blows – many of them ending up in the river.
His efforts carried Old Fallopians towards a challenging total – particularly after an expensive dropped catch in the outfield – the returning Marcel Boonaert the unlucky bowler. However Davies took the opportunity to introduce himself as Jon Brown had taken some punishment – and he was able to dismiss Karen Hobson – the only girl playing for the opposition – in a shameless piece of opportunism.
With John Rooney run out – and Winston hitting both bowlers for big sixes – it was a relief when he top edged Davies for the now injured Boonaert to take an excellent running catch at square leg to end the innings at 204 all out.
With a fast outfield and good track – time was likely to be Pacific’s main enemy – as a slow tea and slow over rate reduced the number of overs they could have to a maximum of 33 – a starting run rate of more than 6 an over.
Experienced opening pair Peter Hollman and Adrian Duthie survived a fiery opening spell from the impressive Winston. However it was the equally probing Stebbins who broke through after the pair had added 55 in only ten overs – yorking Duthie for 19. Guy Wiehahn had not been expecting to play until news of Matt Holliday’s late injury had reached him as late as 12.30. He made great efforts to get to the game via train and taxi – and had every intention of making the most of his unexpected call-up in the number 3 slot – getting of the mark with a trademark square cut.
However Hollman was soon to depart for a well-struck 26 – caught at fly slip – and Rob Bastin had just dispatched three crisp fours when he got a beauty from left-armer Thornhill to go for 12. With the required rate now up to nearly 8 an over – Wiehahn and skipper Davies needed to put together a big partnership quickly.
Wiehahn continued to strike the ball sweetly to keep the rate going whilst Davies gradually got going. Soon however the burly left-hander was dispatching the tiring Old Fallopians attack into the trees for series of big sixes over square leg – and the required rate was dropping as fast as the setting sun!
Neither man offered a chance and even he return of Stebbins and Winston could do nothing the stem the flow – the target eventually being reached with more than 2 overs in hand as the night drew in.
MOM – Guy Wiehahn – Super Sub - for answering the late call-up and hitting a classy unbeaten half-century to win the game.
Packing the Kit – Joe Bennett – had a nightmare in the field and did not get a chance to bat.
Stato Corner – Jim Davies became the first Pacific batsman to pass 500 runs for the season during his innings.
XI:- Mike Alexander, Marcel Boonaert, Jim Davies*, Adrian Duthie, Guy Wiehahn, Peter Hollman, Rob Bastin, Jon Brown, Joe Bennett, Oliver Haill, & Alex Tomlin.
