Pacific, in contrast to earlier in the season, snatched an amazing victory
from the jaws of certain defeat by the margin of 4 runs against a much
improved Chat's Palace team last night.
Skipper Campbell at last won a toss and put Pacific into bat. Slugger
Marshall retired early after a customary frenetic start and soon he was
joined in the pavilion by Lay and Cowling; all dismissed by a bowler who was
unable to pitch it more than half way up the wicket. Holliday and Hardisty
batted gamely to push the score into the mid 50's before they both perished.
Rademeyer smote bravely before being run out by a direct hit. Skipper
Campbell acknowledged his bad call immediately. Campbell then compounded
the error by getting out shortly thereafter and Pacific closed on exactly
100. The wides and no balls contributing solidly.
Rademeyer and Campbell opened the attack but it was clear that Chat's opener
Gary was intent on assisting Pacific as he ran out the other Chat's opener
in the first over (without facing) on a suicidal push to bowler Campbell and
then the No 3 was removed by an equally mad attempt at 2 to 3rd man
Rademeyer (a great throw in). After 8 overs, Chats were 54-2 and cruising
despite most of the runs coming from edges and slices. Fielding was tight
and no misfields.
Chat's No 4 was looking dangerous having despatched Radmeyer for 6 on his
first ball but the introduction of Bastin proved crucial - he yorked the
danger man first ball! With Cowling on at the other end and the quality of
the batsman diminishing a tight game looked in prospect as wickets continued
to fall. Bastin grabbed 2 more wickets and Cowling another (all clean
bowled!) and with 2 overs to go 13 were needed with 1 wicket left.
Campbell gambled by moving everyone in. Bastin was promptly dispatched for
four and two and then 3 extremely controversial wides were given by the
Chat's umpire leaving 4 to win of 9 balls. Chats No 8 then smashed the ball
to Campbell at short point who misfielded, the ball going a few paces behind
him. Campbell (in the style to which many of his admirers will know) turned
slowly after the ball and Chats risked a second....but it was a ruse! On
hearing the shout for 2, Campbell grabbed the ball and threw it in and
Holliday effected an easy run out to leave Chats 4 runs short!
All rounder Marshall said after the game "well the Palace chat themselves
for sure at the end; well done to the bowlers and fielder for not bottling
it - this victory means that we have turned the corner! the boy Bastin is
my man of the match" All the youngsters in the team then departed for a pub
in the city frequented on a regular basis by Matt Holliday and have not been
seen again!
